Abigail's Party - Theatre Review

Mike Leigh’s comedy of social manners and class aspiration has lost none of its potency or bite since its premier over 30 years ago, and director Lindsay Posner perfectly pitches his revival between excruciating embarrassment and all out comedy.

By Will Pond / June 1, 2012

rating: 4

The 1977 Play for Today recording of Abigails Party has become such a cemented part of British contemporary drama, that when going into Lindsay Posners revival currently playing at the Wyndnams Theatre just off Leicester Square I felt that I already knew the plays lead Beverly better than some of my own friends. It was very pleasing then to see that Jill Halfpenny more than measures up against Alison Steadmans performance, and that Abigails Party is a fine revival. Mike Leighs comedy of social manners and class aspiration has lost none of its potency or bite since its premier over 30 years ago, and director Lindsay Posner perfectly pitches his revival between excruciating embarrassment and all out comedy. Its 1977 and un-happily married couple Beverly and Laurence invite the new couple that have just moved in across the street (Tony and Angela) around to become further acquainted and meet their mutual neighbour, Susan, whos teenage daughter is having the party of the plays title. Once the evening kicks off, resentment bubbles to surface and arguments begin to fly. Beverly rules the party like a monster showing an absolute disregard for the other guests feelings, she letches over Angela's husband Tony and belittles her own husband at every possible opportunity. The stage is left open as the audience enter the auditorium and I could hear people around me commenting on the sets décor, sometimes in a positive way and at other times more negatively. For someone who did not live in 1970s, I cant quite believe there are so many different shades of brown and orange. Quite frankly the set is hideous, and all the better for it!

Abigails Party retains its great cast from its first run, but Jill Halfpenny and Natalie Casey absolutely steal the show. Near the beginning Caseys Angela comments that herself and Halfpennys Beverly are so alike, a remark that is sure to get a huge laugh from any audience. Halfpenny wanders across the stage swinging her hips in a manner that gives Beverly a huge air of arrogant over-confidence, whilst Casey moves like a robot that hasnt had its joints oiled. When both wivess swap husbands for an alcohol fuelled slow dance in the second act Beverly hangs over Tony and feels up his arse, whilst Casey can only dance stiffly on her own in front of a confused Laurence. Andy Nyman is also a highlight and brings an immediate comic edge whenever he is onstage. In maybe the plays most direct moment, Laurence asks Susan what has changed in the surrounding area since she has lived on the street; He becomes more agitated when she is reluctant to answer the audience, but the audience know Susan only wants to shout back that people like himself and Beverly have moved in! Abigails Party currently playing at the Wyndams Theatre is funny and still pointent, go and see it for the great cast and Jill Halfpennys performance.