Abigail's Party

On a November evening it can seem a long dark journey to reach Redlynch Village hall in the heart of  The New Forest .  But the journey is made easier knowing that when arrive you will be rewarded by seeing a wonderful example of amateur theatre at it very best

Abigails Party, written by Mike Leigh, is a classic, a suburban situation comedy about  the new middle class that was emerging in the 1970s Britian . It is a play with lots of great dialogue. The cast members also have to eat, consume lots of drinks and also smoke real cigarettes, to make this fabulous play work. The director and his five excellent cast members had clearly spent time perfecting their performances and their individual characters. I thoroughly enjoyed watching  their reactions throughout the play. Their timing and delivery was first class which brought out the wonderful comedy in the script

The hostess of the party,” Beverly” has the vast majority of the wordy dialogue and is on stage throughout the play. I thought the actress gave an absolutely outstanding performance which was virtually faultless.  During course of the evening I counted that she had to consume, 10 G&Ts and a rather large Brandy (not real alcohol I Hope),  plus she smoked numerous cigarettes. I was amazed how well she kept the dialogue going whilst serving so many drinks and also, when due to a technical issue ,she was clearly struggling to light a cigarette   .

 As usual the Red Lynch players had transformed the relatively small venue to create a lovely looking set complete with  1970s “G Plan” furniture.  It was a great atmosphere and I felt  that I was sat in someone’s lounge joining them for the party.  The attention to detail in the drinks cabinet was very good .

Redlynch Players may only be a small group ,but they are well supported and always seem to a achieved sell out performances.  One again the I thought the standard of their production was excellent and to equal to many  professional productions that I have seen at the nearby Salisbury Playhouse. 

My congratulations go to all concerned

 

 

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