Abigail's Party

Abigail's Party

Presented by

C.A.T.S.

C.A.T.S. have become somewhat of a movable feast over the last twelve months, mainly due to circumstances beyond their control, also the desire to build on the outdoor adventures of recent months with their second successful Shakespearean sojourn to Hales Hall, their latest offering the classic 1970's play Abigail's Party written by Mike Leigh, was performed at my former Primary School, strangely enough a place where I did my first tentative steps on the stage.

The scene is set in Beverley and Laurence's living room, a house party to introduce new neighbours ex-footballer Tony, Dan Ede Smith and his wife Angela, Alice Foggerty, to divorced neighbour Susan, Sonia Boughey.

A few doors away at Sue's house, her fifteen year old daughter, the said Abigail is having a party, you know, just a few teenagers having a bit of fun.

The bubble of time this play is set in is quintessential. Observed really well, the set was dressed just right, to evoke that early up and coming successful couple vibe, the couple who had all the mod cons, well stocked drinks cabinet and stereo record player, obligatory Lava lamp and lest I forget, the all important rotisserie. Great attention to detail. As the understatedly majestic Wind Cries Mary fades the opening scene began to unfurl it's rich interpersonal tapestry before us viewing guests.

Beverly played by Melanie James, had great mannerisms, a way of imposing her personal belief on everyone regardless of tact, very much the bored housewife, strong performance, paced the show well from the start, the fraught tension between her and overworking husband Laurence was palpable, deep underlying issues despite their successful facade.

Her long suffering, hard working husband Laurence is as beige as beige can be, that said he likes the more cultural things in life which is almost the diametrical opposite of Beverly. He's constantly working to provide for them both, despite the obvious underlying bubbling tensions.

Angela, Alice Foggerty a new incumbent to the area, a nurse by profession, who enjoys letting her hair down over a drink, especially encouraged to do so by Beverly. She is married to ex-footballer, now computer programmer Tony, Dan Ede Smith, the curtailed anger and knowing looks between the two couples were excellent, conveying so much, sometimes humorous other times intimidating or threatening, they gave us so much with a mere scowl or grimace.

Our final party attendee is Susan, Sonia Boughey, nervous of her daughter Abigail's potential actions at her party, not happy with her lot, divorced, her husband has remarried, she doesn't like Beverly's brash forthright persona but gels well with culture vulture Laurence despite Beverly's protestations.

The dynamics of the performers were excellent, this was a dark comedy the dialogue very much of the era, covering underage drinking, sex, rape and the later sexual tension between Beverly and Tony mounted as the alcohol was consumed throughout the party

This builds particularly in Act II which leads us ever further into the reality of the couples true relationships, frayed tempers eventually erupt to show a final argument over an erotic painting which is the final straw which leads to the impending heart attack Beverly warned Laurence about, this gave some quite believable situation although a missing cigarette prop was referenced several times as the prone Laurence lay breathing his last as the assembled guests awaited the ambulance's arrival, this being opening night I imagine this minor issue would be corrected for the rest of the weeks run.

Good direction throughout from James Walker, ably assisted by Dan Ede Smith.

 

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