Abigail’s Party

Mike Leigh’s iconic play is hard wired into so many minds that any new production is up against it. Much as we would like to see a new take on it we probably all crave more of Steadman and Duvistki. How can any cast win? Well this Theatre Royal Bath and Menier Chocolate Factory hit certainly does and after a West End run it is now touring.

Set in a world of G Plan, Ladderax and op art orange wallpaper, Beverley is an upwardly mobile predator, preying on her neighbours’ weaknesses, plying them with booze and bullying her dismal husband Laurence. Alison Steadman created the role but Hannah Waterman is more than able to take up the mantle as she lopes around the stage in emerald green nylon dispensing booze and put downs, offering compliments and soothing thoughts one minute and chipping away at insecurities the next. Katie Lightfoot is marvellous as Angela, downtrodden and damaged by her bullying husband and in Beverley’s thrall. Emily Raymond as Susan, mother of the Abigail in the title, is a divorced mother raising her rebellious punk daughter. Tensions could not be higher as these disparate character try to make the best of a social gathering fuelled by booze and cheese and pineapple on sticks. Martin Marquez as Laurence and Samuel James as Tony are hilarious as the pre female emancipation husbands. Driven Laurence is a ball of nerves, Tony a sulking bully who is easily led astray by Beverley’s aggressive flirtation. Ange looks on like a hurt child and Susan is clearly appalled. It stands no chance of ending well and of course it doesn’t. But the real artistry in this dreadful scenario is that it is hysterically funny from start almost to finish and the company bring a life to this classic that one hardly dared hope for.

Theatre Royal Brighton, 1 April 2013
Rating:
Andrew Kay