Posts with the label Abigail's Party
Showing posts with label Abigail's Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Abigail's Party. Show all posts
Wednesday, 3 April 2019
Abigail's Party (UK Tour), Orchard Theatre | Review
Abigail's Party (UK Tour)
Orchard Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 1st April 2019 by Holly Bridges
★★★★★
I am a huge fan of Mike Leigh’s classic play Abigail’s Party, therefore it is difficult to imagine any current touring production doing it justice. However, upon entering the Orchard Theatre auditorium, and being transported back to the Seventies via an impressive set, complete with brown décor and cheese plants, any apprehensions regarding Sarah Esdaile’s version quickly subside.
As our hostess with the ‘mostess’, Beverly Moss sashays into the room to the sounds of Donna Summer, complete with long, printed maxi dress and a drink in hand, it is clear she is out to impress. This role was famously played by the inimitable Alison Steadman in the original, and whilst these are gold heels which are impossible to fill, Jodie Prenger is excellent as Beverly.
We watch as Beverly’s stressed husband, Laurence (played by Daniel Casey) deals with yet another business matter on the telephone whilst she looks on irritably; just one of many fractious moments which go on to scatter the evening. It’s as her guests arrive that Prenger really comes into her own, with Beverly flitting between the sofa, cocktail cabinet and nibbles, all the while her shoulders arched and ready to schmooze.
Vicky Binns plays Angela, the slightly naïve and very eager to please nurse, who is new to the area and neighbour of Beverly and Laurence. She is joined by reluctant husband Tony, who sits sullenly in a chair as ‘Ange’ chatters on. Binns nails the role, with the audience darting between feelings of slight annoyance at her inane conversation, to those of pity as Tony belittles her.
Thrown into the mix of this farcical soiree is the fifth character, Sue. A middle-aged, intelligent divorcee, and now single mother, we are led to believe that Sue has been invited over by Beverly in order to ‘save’ her from her fifteen-year-old daughter’s (Abigail) party in a neighbouring property. Rose Keegan plays the part of Sue extremely well, all soft tones and worrying nods, this is a woman who is clearly out of her depth in this environment.
There is no doubt that Beverly is awful, yet she is also completely enthralling as we see her try to flirt up a storm with ‘Tone’ and attempt to haul herself up the class ladder as she makes constant comparisons between herself and her guests, whilst also force feeding them cheese and pineapple!
It is the fraught and somewhat uncomfortable moments between each of the warring couples which occasionally give the play a slightly unhappier tinge, as the sometimes-awkward laughter from the audience suggests. Beverly’s withering put-downs of Laurence, however, cannot help but draw genuine chuckles. Casey’s performance as her long-suffering partner is excellent, but let’s face it, who could ever win when up against the force of nature that is Beverly?
Abigail's Party does not disappoint, and whilst nothing could ever match up to such a classic piece of work as the original, this production is full of laughs, perfect details and moments that will leave you squirming in your seat (in a good way!) Little top-up, anyone?
Tuesday, 26 February 2019
Abigail's Party (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review
Abigail's Party (UK Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 25th February 2019 by Melanie Mitchell
★★★★
I am old enough to have seen the original televised play for today of Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party in 1977 and have loved it ever since. Therefore, I was really looking forward to seeing Sarah Esdaile’s adaptation of this iconic piece and I wasn’t disappointed.
As we entered the theatre we were greeted by the most amazing set where we can take a somewhat voyeuristic view through the windows of a typical suburban house of the seventies.
We watch as Beverly, played superbly by Jodie Prenger, flits in and out, preparing for her Party, switching on the fibre optic lamp, opening the drinks cabinet and laying out that most ubiquitous of party foods, the cheese and pineapple hedgehog.
Beverly has invited new neighbours Angela & Tony for drinks, also inviting Sue, as her teenage daughter Abigail is having a party. The play centres around these 5 characters and their complicated relationships. Beverly and her husband Laurence who have enormous marital problems, The mousey downtrodden Angela and her monosyllabic husband Tony and Sue the timid, socially inept divorcee.
As the drinks flow, whether the guests want them or not, the tensions rise between the partners and the group. The underlying problems begin to emerge and escalate to the 70’s sounds of Donna Summer and Demis Roussos.
The play portrays the era perfectly, tapping in to the social climbing, aspirational working class often associated with the 1970’s.
In the original show, Beverly is played by the amazing Alison Steadman, who created the voice of Beverly. I think that Anyone who has seen the original will agree that this is one of the most important and fundamental facets of this character. I was slightly apprehensive as to how another actor would carry this off. I needn’t have worried, as from the minute Jodie Prenger spoke, she was Beverly. From her flowing psychedelic dress and cleavage to her cutting and withering remarks to Laurence, fabulous performance.
The other characters were also played brilliantly, Vicky Binns is great as the mousey, impressionable and excitable Angela. Alongside Calum Callaghan as Tony her monosyllabic husband simmering with underlying aggression. Daniel Casey gives a super performance as Laurence, the socially mobile estate agent desperate to show that he does have class. Rose Keegan is perfectly cast as Sue, she was totally believable as she squirmed uncomfortably at the others behaviour.
As previously mentioned, the set, lighting and sound design are wonderful, I was immediately transported back to the 70’s, with the orange and brown décor, the party food and the music. Not a single item of detail was missing from that room.
Mike Leigh's original production has certainly stood the test of time with themes in the play as relevant today as they were 40 years ago.
This tragicomedy has laugh out loud moments tinged with both pathos and sadness. It is a wonderful evening out to the most uncomfortable party you may ever attend.
Abigail's Party runs at the New Victoria Theatre until March 2nd 2019 before continuing it's tour
photo credit: Manuel Harlan
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