Review: ABIGAIL’S PARTY, Malvern Theatres - Tour
Photo credit: Sheila Burnett
Mike Leigh’s famous play, Abigail’s Party, originated in 1977 at Hampstead Theatre, but it’s characters and comic writing never seem to age.
In a typically suburban living room of the time, we see Beverly preparing to host a get together for neighbours Angela, Tony and Sue. Rebecca Birch appears as Beverly and from her first moments on stage, it is clear to the audience that everything is about her. Birch has her body language, movements and mannerisms crafted to perfection before the dialogue has even begun.
Tom Richardson is Laurence, Beverly’s husband. He has barely stepped through their front door when Beverly begins to nag him. Richardson is the epitome of patronising to the other guests as he lowers himself to speak to them as they are seated in such a manner that you can’t help but be offended on their behalf.
The play is a look at British life in the 1970’s but actually asks, have we really changed that much? It portrays itself more as a study of people’s behaviour. Their selfishness clear to those around them, if not obvious to themselves, and when their inappropriate behaviour is brought to their attention, they only become more inappropriate to try to prove that that’s not what they are!
Alice De-Warrenne and George Readshaw, as neighbouring couple Angela and Tony, are simply hilarious. De-Warrenne captures the naivety of the character in relation to Readshaw’s frustration perfectly. Tony’s annoyance portrayed in mostly one-word answers, he clearly wants to be anywhere but in this room with these people, and to be honest, who could blame him!
Completing the cast is Jo Castleton as Susan, Mother to Abigail, which the play lends its title to, and her party across the road. Susan is sheltering at Beverly’s house whilst the party is in full swing, something she clearly regrets as soon as she arrives.
The set and costume design by Bek Palmer, with lighting design by Matthew Green complement the production immensely and the audience have no doubt that they are being transported back to the style and the time of the piece as soon as it begins.
It’s a collection of characters in one room, who constantly try to one up themselves against each other, escalating into disagreements, sarcastic comments and everyone else’s uncomfortableness, yet none of them want to admit defeat and leave or try to restore harmony to the situation either.
It is obvious why Abigail’s Party is still successful today and it will continue to make audiences laugh at its abysmal characters for years to come.
Cynical and awkward, but hysterically funny!
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin
Abigail’s Party plays at Malvern Theatres until 8 July and continues to tour until 7 October, with further information here.