Mike Leigh’s classic play Abigail’s Party comes to Theatre Royal Winchester from Wednesday 1 to Saturday 4 March.
The play tells the story of host Beverly and husband Laurence preparing their suburban living room for the arrival of their guests – neighbours Angela, Tony and Sue… and as the alcohol flows and the ‘nibbles’ are passed around, audiences are invited to witness a ruthless, yet achingly funny examination of British life during the ‘70s.
Abigail’s Party premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in 1977 – the year of skin-tight polyester, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and Saturday Night Fever – with the role of Beverly immortalised by actress Alison Steadman; and a record sixteen million viewers watching it on TV’s Play for Today – a TV anthology series – making it a national treasure.
The popular black comedy is now brought to the stage by touring theatre company, London Classic Theatre whose recent productions have included the likes of Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest and Peter Shaffer’s Equus – and is directed by their Artistic Director, Michael Cabot. It stars Rebecca Birch as Beverly, who has appeared on stage and TV (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Girl On The Train, A Tale of Two Cities, The Commuter – Electric Dreams: The World of Philip K Dick and Victoria).
- Recommended age: 14+ (contains strong language). For more information or to book tickets visit theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk or call 01962 840 440.
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