Tamzin Outhwaite stars in the touring production of Mike Leigh’s popular 1977 play Abigail’s Party. Where neighbours get together offering an insight into the life in surburbia in England during that period.

The audience never sees Abigail, her party is going on down the road from their house and you hear at various times the revelry taking place. Her Mum Sue (Pandora Colin) is taking sanctuary with Beverly and her husband Laurence (Kevin Bishop) at a small intimate party.

Tony (Omar Malik) and Angela (Lauren Patel) have recently moved into the street, and Beverly wants to get them to know them better. Especially taking a shine to Tony, who is a man of few words and looks uncomfortable most of the evening.

The drinks flow and the “unpleasant digs and snipes” between the couples become nastier. Most of these are born from their frustrations of being stuck in unhappy situations.

Attitudes and ideas are very much set in the year 1977 when this play was written. From Sue’s situation as a single mum, and divorce often treated a taboo subject. Marriage was treated as a forever commitment regardless of how unhappy or unsatisfied couples were. The two couples in this play don’t  offer a healthy picture of “wedded bliss.”

Set and costume designer Peter Mckintosh has recreated an accurate insight into the fashions and furnishings from the 1970s. The alabaster cigarette case is the centre piece on the coffee table. Along with the vinyl collection proudly on display. All of these are rarely seen in homes today, although I remember all of these things when I was growing up.

For more information about Abigail’s Party and further productions at Fareham Live, please use the link below.

Four Stars.

Photo credit Mark Senior

https://trafalgartickets.com/fareham-live-fareham/en-GB/event/play/abigails-party-tickets

Cast

Tamsin Outhwaite-Beverly

Kevin Bishop- Laurence

Pandora Colin-Sue

Omar Malik-Tony

Lauren Patel-Angela.