Abigail's Party

A BBC 1977 play,  popular, rather cruel but exceedingly funny multi-layered look into the lives of overbearing Beverly and obsessed estate agent husband Laurence, who invite their new neighbours, quiet and uncomfortable, monosyllabic IT operator Tony and  tactless naïve nurse wife Angela to their home for drinks. Also invited is preoccupied, divorcee Susan, whose unseen daughter Abigail is celebrating her 15th birthday at home, naturally not wishing her Mother to be present. Commencing with polite conversation our overpowering hostess plies guests with drinks and cigarettes with the initial politeness turning to tension, discomfort, dancing becomes sensual flirting, a row about cultural taste differences overtakes and finally Laurence suffers a fatal heart attack.

This play was chosen for KDA 2016 Full Length Play Festival and was first of the season adjudicated by Charles Evans, who gave a most encouraging overview.

An impressive colourful A5 programme, with 70’s reminders throughout, loud wallpaper,  pineapple hedgehog, yellow telephone, spin ashtray etc., an interesting item asking the cast 10 questions, as themselves and then as their respective characters, supplying lovely answers!

My, the set was good.  So authentic – even the wallpaper – this I discovered was found in Brian Fagg’s loft – just perfectly horrid, included G Plan furniture, circular rug,  lamps, paintings, well placed room divider, for posh books, turntable and of course the drinks.  A look through the archway into a well equipped kitchen. A glass circular table was complete with candelabra. Nothing was overlooked in Heather Leslie and Peter Huxley’s design, well constructed and finished by the team, together with a collection of props, transported  us  into the 70’s home of  dreadful  taste.

John Sewell was in command of well cued music, noises and lighting, the stage being well lit with lamps of all descriptions. Costuming perfect - Beverly’s flowing red/orange frock moved with her sensual body language. Angela appeared rather childlike, in short pale frock with ribbons and hair ribbons, sporting sensible sandals, and distinctive spectacles.  Manly, Tony, clad smartly in check and black platform shoes, appeared somewhat dishevelled after checking what was what at the party!  Dark hair and face hair suited the ex-footballer! A droopy moustache, side parting, flared bottomed three-piece suit, plus attaché case gave businessman Laurence a ‘remembered’ look!

Heather Leslie’s love of this play enabled her to allow her actors to use their own improvisation to develop characters layers.  Natural movements and expressions built into characters gelled, with it interesting to observe changes as they progressed.  The strongest  being when chatterbox ‘Ange’ takes control of Sue’s vomiting,  then collapse, attempted resuscitation, and Laurence’s final breath, with comedy coming through when she gets  cramp! Julie Austin as ex-demonstrator Beverly shows both condescending ways, sensual body language but then an underlying sadness, exceedingly well. David Richardson, captured the persona of Laurence, henpecked, hard working, keeping-up-with-the-Jones’s, developing quick movements, obsession with the classics, working up to neurotic and inappropriate behaviour til his final curtain - truly well interpreted. Contrasting was man of few words, ex Crystal Palace footballer ‘Tone’ nicely performed by Michael Fitzgerald.  From the quiet, uncomfortable man at gatherings, he developed into quite a ‘mover’ and certainly assertive towards the finale. Comedy throughout, although sometimes cutting and cruel was achingly funny.  How did Kay Fitzgerald keep that straight face playing a convincingly timid, awkward, distracted Mother, more concerned with what was going on at home?

Lastly, and most interesting was tactless, talkative, Karen Wright as ‘Ange’, rising to the occasion taking command perfectly.  A tremendous  team effort.

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