Abigail's Party

Abigail’s Party is an iconic play which was written in the 1970’s by Mike Leigh, I think it must be around 20 years since I last saw this play and I am very pleased to say it certainly has stood the test of time.

To make a production a success you not only need a good script, you also need a good director and a good cast, well Denys Edward Players certainly have all the right ingredients to make this the great production it was.

Ian G Walker pulled out all the stops in directing this play to bring it to life and made the audience feel like they were actually sitting in Beverley and Lawrence’s lounge watching the action unravel. Right from the offset the pace was set and it continued right up to final curtain, the space in between being filled with lots and lots of laughter and enjoyment.

As I mentioned above one of the other ingredients of a good production is a good cast and here we had a brilliant cast who all had developed their unique character to bring life to the words on the page.

As the hostess of the party, not Abigail’s party but the other one which was taking place, was Beverley played to perfection by Leah Rhodes-Birch, her hosting skills may have left a little to be desired but her acting skills were certainly more than adequate to do this part justice much to the delight of the entire audience.

Beverley’s husband in this piece, Lawrence, was played by Andrew Hibbert who was also able to deliver the goods as the somewhat henpecked man about the house who continually tried to force his power in the household to no avail. Sadly Lawrence dies at the end of the play and although this was a sad event the cast were able to bring a smile and indeed great laughter from the audience.

There are three guests invited to this party, the newlyweds Angela and Tony and the mother of Abigail, Susan who was giving her daughter leeway for her own party.

As Angela, Ellen Hindley was superb as the very irritatingly hyper young wife constantly giggling and fussing around everyone in the room much to the annoyance of her husband, Tony played with ease by Marc Vestey. Initially Angela and Marc appeared to be the perfect young loving couple but as the play unfolds it is apparent that he does not hold this view of their relationship. Both Ellen and Marc were able to bounce off each other throughout the whole play even though Marc did not have many lines to deliver initially he was able to show his acting skills to produce a first class performance.

I mentioned the last guest at the party, Susan who was the very timid mother afraid to think what her daughter and her friends were up to in her home. Susan was continually offered drinks by her hostess which of course results in her being very poorly. Jan Ibberson was brilliant in this part and showed off her acting skills much to the delight of the entire audience who were with her all the way.

Many congratulations to everyone involved in this production which was thoroughly enjoyed by the entire audience including me. I look forward to seeing more of this company in the future.

 

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