Abigail’s Party

Hilarious and horribly compelling, Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party is an undisputed classic.

It’s forty years since the appalling Beverly first put Donna Summer on the turntable, stacked a plate with little cheesey-pineapple ones, plied her guests with alcohol, cigarettes and Demis Roussos and slow-danced her way across the shag-pile into theatrical history.

The drinks party from hell begins when Beverly and estate agent husband Laurence invite round new neighbours, Tony and Ange, along with nervous divorcee Sue, jittery about the bash her teenage daughter, Abigail, is throwing up the road. As that party reportedly gets out of hand, this one too descends into chaos, and comedy, drama and tragedy combine into an iconic piece of theatre.

AMANDA ABBINGTON is best-known for playing Mary Morstan in Sherlock, Miss Mardle in Mr Selfridge and DS Jo Moffat in Cuffs.

Starring alongside Amanda will be BEN CAPLAN (PC Noakes in Call the Midwife, Sunny Afternoon in the West End) as Laurence, ROSE KEEGAN (Stepping Out on tour, Bedroom Farce in the West End) as Sue, CHARLOTTE MILLS (Jerusalem) as Angela and CIARAN OWENS (Mad World My Masters) as Tony.

“Pricelessly funny and painfully accurate” Time Out

“Performances are strong and the brilliant script fizzes and crackles through the evening with great energy.” Theatre Bath

“Amanda Abbington is intoxicating … agonisingly irresistible … a remarkably atmospheric piece, a fresh look at an old classic” Bath Chronicle

“This production is a thoroughly modern experience on many levels, compelling from the get-go and still fervently fresh in execution … an undisputed theatrical classic” The Bath Magazine

“Pitch perfect pacing with wonderful period design … achingly funny. The cast is uniformly excellent, but the evening belongs inevitably and rightly to Amanda Abbington as Beverly” The Fine Times Recorder

“Raw, excruciating and real … Amanda Abbington leads a superb cast … a classic interpretation of a classic drama” Listomania Bath

“The play remains a masterpiece and this is a great night out. And judging by the reaction of the audience, they agreed” Swindon Advertiser

Ticket price includes  a £1 contribution to our heritage fund.

Production Photos by Nobby Clark