ABIGAIL’S PARTY
by Mike Leigh
UK & Ireland Tour
1 March – 15 July
If you enjoy tragicomedy you won’t want to miss Abigail’s Party, which comes to Chelmsford Theatre for three days between 9 and 11 March
by Mike Leigh
UK & Ireland Tour
1 March – 15 July
If you enjoy tragicomedy you won’t want to miss Abigail’s Party, which comes to Chelmsford Theatre for three days between 9 and 11 March
Set in 1977, the backdrop to this classic play is the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and Saturday Night Fever. The Sex Pistols were massively popular, skateboarding was the latest craze, and Angela Rippon danced with Morecambe & Wise.
The play takes place over one night, in Beverly and her husband Laurence’s suburban living room. As their neighbours arrive and drinks are passed round, personality clashes, political talk and laughter follows.
Rebecca Birch, who plays lead character Beverly, says Abigail’s Party explores some big issues while retaining an achingly funny tone:
“Abigail’s Party is a tragicomedy focusing on class, relationships, gender roles and ‘doing the done thing’. Without giving too much away, the night doesn’t end how the audience (or the characters) might think.
“I would love people to come and sit in our living room with us. Come on this journey and let us entertain you, make you laugh but also make you think. Do you hold others to account based on their class? Do you love freely and unapologetically? Do you like olives?”
The play takes place over one night, in Beverly and her husband Laurence’s suburban living room. As their neighbours arrive and drinks are passed round, personality clashes, political talk and laughter follows.
Rebecca Birch, who plays lead character Beverly, says Abigail’s Party explores some big issues while retaining an achingly funny tone:
“Abigail’s Party is a tragicomedy focusing on class, relationships, gender roles and ‘doing the done thing’. Without giving too much away, the night doesn’t end how the audience (or the characters) might think.
“I would love people to come and sit in our living room with us. Come on this journey and let us entertain you, make you laugh but also make you think. Do you hold others to account based on their class? Do you love freely and unapologetically? Do you like olives?”
Above: rehearsal shots of the cast in action. Photographs by Rosalind Furlong.
Come along and escape into the 1970s, whilst enjoying the company of various satirical characters talking anything and everything 70s-related. It will make you think, cringe, and most importantly laugh! Get a sneak peek of what to expect with the below teaser trailer.
To book tickets, visit the Chelmsford Theatre website.
Cast: Rebecca Birch (Beverly), Jo Castleton (Susan), Alice De-Warrenne (Angela), George Readshaw (Tony) and Tom Richardson (Laurence).Directed by Michael Cabot; Designed by Bek Palmer; Lighting by Matthew Green
Theatre Royal, Winchester
1-4 March
Press Night: Thursday 2 March
Box office: 01962 840 440 / www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
Marina Theatre, Lowestoft
7 – 8 March
Box office: 01502 533200 / www.marinatheatre.co.uk
Chelmsford Theatre
9 – 11 March
Box office: 01245 606505 / www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk
Warwick Arts Centre
14 – 18 March
Box office: 02476496000 / www.warwickartscentre.co.uk
Cambridge Arts Centre
21 – 25 March
Box office: 01223 503333 / www.cambridgeartstheatre.com
Cast, Doncaster
30 March – 1 April
Box office: 01302 303 959 / www.castindoncaster.com
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme
5 – 15 April
Box office: 01782 717 962 / www.newvictheatre.org.uk
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
19 – 22 April
Box office: 0343 310 0020 / www. churchilltheatre.co.uk
Derby Theatre, Derby
21 - 25 June
Box office: 01332 593939 / www.derbytheatre.co.uk
New Theatre Royal, Lincoln
1 – 2 May
Box office: 01522 519999 / www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
The Atkinson, Southport
4 – 6 May
Box office: 01704 533 333 / www.theatkinson.co.uk
Perth Theatre, Perth
9 – 13 May
Box office: 01738 62103 / www.perththeatreandconcerthall.com
Eden Court, Inverness
17 – 20 May
Box office: 01463234234 / www.eden-court.co.uk
Oldham Coliseum Theatre
23 – 27 May
Box office: 0161 624 2829 / www.coliseum.org.uk/
Everyman Theatre, Cork
29 May – 2 June
Box office: 021 450 1673 / www.everymancork.com
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
6 - 11 June
Box office: 01323 412000 / www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Darlington Hippodrome
13 - 17 June
Box office: 01325 405405 / https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Exeter Northcott
20 – 24 June
Box office: 01392 726363 / www.exeternorthcott.co.uk
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
27 June – 1 July
Box office: 01284 769505 / www.theatreroyal.org
Malvern Theatres
4 - 8 July
Box office: 01684 892277 / www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
Venue Cymru, Llandudno
11 – 15 July
Box office: 01492 872000 / www.venuecymru.co.uk
1-4 March
Press Night: Thursday 2 March
Box office: 01962 840 440 / www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk
Marina Theatre, Lowestoft
7 – 8 March
Box office: 01502 533200 / www.marinatheatre.co.uk
Chelmsford Theatre
9 – 11 March
Box office: 01245 606505 / www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk
Warwick Arts Centre
14 – 18 March
Box office: 02476496000 / www.warwickartscentre.co.uk
Cambridge Arts Centre
21 – 25 March
Box office: 01223 503333 / www.cambridgeartstheatre.com
Cast, Doncaster
30 March – 1 April
Box office: 01302 303 959 / www.castindoncaster.com
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme
5 – 15 April
Box office: 01782 717 962 / www.newvictheatre.org.uk
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
19 – 22 April
Box office: 0343 310 0020 / www. churchilltheatre.co.uk
Derby Theatre, Derby
21 - 25 June
Box office: 01332 593939 / www.derbytheatre.co.uk
New Theatre Royal, Lincoln
1 – 2 May
Box office: 01522 519999 / www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk
The Atkinson, Southport
4 – 6 May
Box office: 01704 533 333 / www.theatkinson.co.uk
Perth Theatre, Perth
9 – 13 May
Box office: 01738 62103 / www.perththeatreandconcerthall.com
Eden Court, Inverness
17 – 20 May
Box office: 01463234234 / www.eden-court.co.uk
Oldham Coliseum Theatre
23 – 27 May
Box office: 0161 624 2829 / www.coliseum.org.uk/
Everyman Theatre, Cork
29 May – 2 June
Box office: 021 450 1673 / www.everymancork.com
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
6 - 11 June
Box office: 01323 412000 / www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk
Darlington Hippodrome
13 - 17 June
Box office: 01325 405405 / https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Exeter Northcott
20 – 24 June
Box office: 01392 726363 / www.exeternorthcott.co.uk
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
27 June – 1 July
Box office: 01284 769505 / www.theatreroyal.org
Malvern Theatres
4 - 8 July
Box office: 01684 892277 / www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
Venue Cymru, Llandudno
11 – 15 July
Box office: 01492 872000 / www.venuecymru.co.uk