Abigail's Party

Abigail's Party photos

Abigail's Party description

It may have been written way back in 1977, but some things don't change. The set and costumes might be vintage, but the feelings are the same. You're invited to Abigail's Party, on stage at the wonderfully intimate Harold Pinter Theatre, starring Tamsin Outhwaite as the social climber Bev, and Kevin Bishop as her long-suffering husband Laurence. Expect a sharp, painfully funny exploration of Britain's social scene where passive aggression, marital tension, awkward small talk, insecurity, frustration and more blend to create the party from hell. No wonder Mike Leigh's modern classic remains one of UK theatre's most iconic comedy dramas. 

Our desire to impress the neighbours, our need to be seen as a success, our knack for navigating uncomfortable social situations, it's all there, it all goes wrong, and it is all wonderfully cringe-worthy. You'll bear witness to every too-long silence, every mean-spirited comment, every disastrous stab at hospitality and every social gaffe as booze-fuelled Bev does everything possible to realise her social ambitions. Outhwaite and Bishop are joined by Pandora Colin, Omar Malik and Lauren Patel, directed to perfection by Nadia Fall. Come and see what happens when a pleasant evening of cocktails and chat spirals into an excruciatingly embarrassing fiasco. 

Playing at Harold Pinter Theatre (venue info)