Abigails Party

“Abigail’s Party” is a comedy which epitomises the lives of the aspiring middle classes of the 1970’s. Those who saw it on TV when it was first screened in 1977 are unlikely to have forgotten the impact it made. Alison Steadman has long since been associated with the role of the social climbing ex cosmetics sales girl, trying to keep up with her more refined estate agent husband Laurence and determined to impress her new neighbours.  She is a hard act to follow and subsequent actresses have been inclined to imitate her style rather than put their own take on it, which is a shame, although I suppose understandable.

Jane Baillie as Beverly spent the evening topping up drinks, handing out nibbles and generally smothering her guests with attention.  Her estuary English never faltered and she looked and sounded very much of the period.  You could sense the embarrassment of her guests.  Very well played

Nik Hedges was excellent as Beverly’s husband Laurence, finding it difficult to keep up with his wife’s rather overpowering personality and trying to bring a little refinement to the evening.

There were good performances also from Rebecca Boyd as Angela and Dylan Cooper as Tony, the new neighbours invited round for drinks and nibbles.  Angela is a nurse and a somewhat shy and mundane character to the annoyance of Tony, her computer operator husband, who finds it increasingly difficult to hide his annoyance with her. 

The cast is completed by Susan, an older and more refined neighbour, seeking refuge from daughter Abigail’s party.  It turns out that she was divorced from her architect husband at the same time as her young neighbours were getting wed.  A point which Beverly seems to delight in mentioning. Susan is constantly on edge, worrying about what’s going on up the road.  To try and reassure her, Beverly sends Laurence and Tony along to make sure all is well.  Tony is away for some time but the length of his absence is not questioned. Emma Letcher was so convincing as Susan, you couldn’t help but share in her anxiety.

The set was carefully constructed to replicate a 1970’s living room (or lounge as I think Beverly would have described it).

Charlotte Allin and Charlotte Scammerton made a very good job of directing this piece.  Well done.

I very much enjoyed this production.  In the hands of less capable actors the characters could have remained the boring people they represent.  Comedy needs good timing to maintain the audience’s attention and this is just what we had here. 

Well done Centre Stage on a very good production.

Thank you for inviting me.

   

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