4 STARS, April 24-29. Abigail is still partying after 40 years - Karen Arcay reviews this cult play at Richmond Theatre, showing until Saturday April 29th
When Mike Leigh was recently asked to write a piece about his signature play he said “he thought it would sink without trace!” On the contrary, this masterpiece in 70s social commentary is as much talked about today as it has ever been.
This month marks the 40th anniversary of its first showing at Hampstead Theatre in April 1977. To commemorate the occasion, it has been revived by Bath Theatre Company and is currently doing the rounds, landing in Richmond this week.
Dubbed a “tragi-comedy” this version has more comedy than tragedy. It is slightly more “larger than life” than the famous TV version that put the play on the map.
Alison Steadman, as the aspirational good-time girl Beverley, was always going to be hard act to follow. She has become synonymous with the role and for Amanda Abbingdon to play anything other than Alison Steadman was going to be tricky.
In fact she pulls it off well, retaining the charisma and swagger of Steadman while adding her own brassier edge to this contradictory character - on the one hand bullying and forceful and on the other, vulnerable, insecure and sad.
Her on-stage husband Laurence, played by the baggy suited Ben Caplan, captures the angry frustrated spouse who yearns for the high-brow but is dogged by his wife’s lowly taste.
The three guests at their soiree are neighbours Angie, a nurse, played by Charlotte Mills, and her ex-footballer husband Tony, played by Ciaran Owens and the middle-class divorcee Susan, played by Rose Keegan.
Between them they play out the pathos of suburban life for young married couples struggling to get on in the late 1970s, to the backdrop of theme tunes of the day most famously Demis Roussous’s “Forever and Ever” and Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You Baby.”
Mike Leigh’s insight into the class battles, (the honest and fearfully polite Sue, so uncomfortable at the gathering and the ridiculous efforts of Laurence to show that he is a man of culture), were spot on for the time.
For those who remember, it can be a rather uncomfortable journey best dealt with laughter and for those who don’t, it’s an entertaining look at the social history of the time. A state of the nation play.
- Abigail's Party is showing at Richmond Theatre April 24-29 for tickets visit atgtickets.com
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