Abigail's Party

First produced in 1977 this is still a popular play of its period, cruel at times but very funny with a lot of action. It commences as an evening to get to know the new neighbours – an evening of drinks and nibbles, with polite conversation led by the overpowering hostess Beverly. Forever working too hard Estate Agent Laurence Moss returns home late – chalk and cheese couple really. In addition, divorcee Sue is reluctantly attending  as her daughter is holding a party to celebrate her 15th birthday and is constantly worrying as to what is happening. The evening  progresses into tension, discomfort, sensual flirting, raised voices, a row, taste differences and finally a fatal heart attack. Fast repetitive script was well executed, timed and choreographed moves were introduced with a surprise manic finale and the unsuccessful resus. On  raising the patient’s leg, neighbour Tony removes actor Simon Meeson’s  prosthetic leg – quite a wonderful thing to agree to do. Final action  is  Angela suffering with leg cramp with Tony tries some pretty suggestive  manoeuvres on the sofa  to ease the situation added to the laughter. A brilliant ending.

The comprehensive living room set was just so 70’s using authentic non-descript patterned wallpaper with a central back archway leading to the kitchen and a bathroom, decorated with the most wonderfully hideous brown and orange circles within circles wallpaper. The floor was carpeted in beige and a brown leather chesterfield placed central front, matching  wing armchairs either side. Mike Neeson and his team worked wonders once again. A coffee table with skinny legs stood front stage full of props –  snacks, ash trays and lighter. A pouffe, a magazine rack were set. Paintings from Lowry and other famous artists hung on the walls. A drinks area for the copious top ups one side and the other a bureau, telephone to the side and various shelves, candelabra,  books, and a changing colour fibre lamp. A good white entry door led into a hall and front door stage right and of course a perfect curtained window – actually  part of the hall windows that  was curtained with  shelf above laden with numerous small bird statuettes. Much attention to detail from Scene Dresser Linda Cruttenden. The lighting was good, and a bit of a lighting flutter was rectified with sound ‘noises off’ effective with Amber Ablitt on the desk. The costumes courtesy of Sophia Lefevre-White for each character were in keeping – a dark three-piece business suit complete with briefcase and an excellent facial hair for Laurence with younger Tony ex-professional footballer dressed casually in belted trousers, shirt with brown leather jacket giving him a bit of a swagger look - nice beard. I might have preferred to see more flare in both trousers that was very much in vogue then.  An easy moving, tantalising, long, low cut, split dress perfect for Bev’s flirting. Angela was dressed down in a pretty dropped waist summery short frock with a pink bow and was advised by Bev how to apply her lipstick to match  and her demonstration was very funny – the ankle socks and strappy black shoes were great whilst Sue was classically dressed in a classic ‘ A’ line skirt and with her handbag  looking like a concerned Mother for most of her performance.

Thoughtful direction from the joint experienced Directors Claire and Henri for this fast-moving script and action with the change of mood from initial politeness to loud sometimes cruel outbursts keeping up with such pace. Lisa Gentry performing in her first play certainly achieved  beyond her ten lines in previous productions, with her constant chat and her persistent recharging of glasses, chain smoking and persuading others to do so. She certainly enjoyed  her passion for  high volume Feliciano music. Her flirting and asides were wicked and you could feel an underlying sadness too. I liked her accent and constant phases using shortened versions of the neighbours’ names Ange and Tone with many references to ‘ice and lemon'. Simon Meeson showed us a hardworking,  henpecked husband Laurence who, unlike his wife, loved his olives, classical, art, literature and music,  who suffered with heartburn. He died splendidly,  even though timid talkative nurse Angela  took control of Sue’s bilious attack and unsuccessful CPR. Poppy-Mai Stratford as Angela Cooper certainly excelled in portraying this entertaining, somewhat naïve character of Ange who became more talkative and assertive throughout the play. I loved her little giggle too. Hubby ex pro footballer, now IT  operator Tony, was Alfie Saunters no stranger to the boards, appeared initially as monosyllabic becoming assertive and quite the mover. Fiona Giles enjoyed taking the part of Susan Lawson, an intriguing, awkward character more worried about her daughter than the surroundings and coping with being violently sick having drunk so on an empty stomach. And how she kept that constant worried look with all the laughter around her I do not know.

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