Abigail’s Party at Theatre Royal Stratford East

Writer and director Mike Leigh’s enduring play Abigail’s Party makes its way to Theatre Royal Stratford East. First penned in 1977 for stage and television, the drama has remained incredibly popular throughout the decades.

The tragicomedy stars Tamzin Outhwaite as the brazen Beverly, hosting a drinks party together with her husband Laurence (Kevin Bishop) for their neighbours Angela (Ashna Rabheru), Tony (Omar Malik) and Sue (Pandora Colin.)

Set design by Peter Mckintosh is keenly observed, placing the piece right in the heart of a well-to-do couples’ home in the 1970s. Beverly is dressed in a stunning flowing orange dress, as we see her in the first scene dancing atop her coffee table to Donna Summer’s Love to Love You Baby. She starts smoking, lays down reading a magazine without a care in the world, when Laurence enters. Beverly constantly belittles him, and it’s clear that their relationship is strained, Laurence falling beneath his wife’s cruel words and double entendres, both competing to prove who is more sophisticated.

The laughs from the audience are instant and many, for example at Angela’s sweetly naïve persona, unable to quell Beverly’s bold flirting towards her stone-faced husband Tony, but instead positing personal questions to the reserved Sue, whose daughter Abigail is having the eponymous party.

The differing character traits create much of the humour and vitality of the play, which has withstood the test of time. Between Beverly and Laurence’s incessant domestic sparring, Angela’s lack of awareness, or Tony’s moodiness and clear discomfort being there (he hardly cracks a smile through the entire duration), the drama works particularly well because of these chalk-and-cheese features.

Ostensibly flirting, constantly topping up everyone’s drinks – including Sue, who doesn’t want to indulge, leading to vomiting – Outhwaite’s Beverly is bold, brash and unabashed. Though she isn’t a lone protagonist, it is her character who is at the heart of the play, with the others reacting and bouncing off her misjudged words and actions.

The script is quite distinct in its delivery, with characters’ names often repeated, and dialogue overtly pronounced, making it unique in form. Leigh’s suburban comedy of manners has many elements simmering under the surface, which director Nadia Fall has put together brilliantly. The cast shine in their roles, and it’s no wonder how timeless Abigail’s Party truly remains.

Selina Begum
Photos: Mark Senior

Abigail’s Party is at Theatre Royal Stratford East from 6^th September until 12^th October 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.