Monday 13th July 2026
Curve, Leicester
‘It’s
not a question of ignorance […]
it’s a question of taste!’
The quote above encapsulates
the thematic tussles and sharp tones at play in Mike Leigh’s seminal 1977 play,
Abigail’s Party. In an era of both upward mobility (the rise in
homeowners, and increasing multiculturalism thanks to the Windrush generation
and migration of Asian Ugandans) and stark deprivation (this was the decade
that witnessed the three-day working week and the Winter of Discontent) Leigh’s
play focused a lens on the outward social and cultural mores that mask hidden
darknesses in British suburbia. Yet, nearly 50 years on the play continues to
entertain audiences in its familiarity, humour and bite. Nadia Fall’s latest
revival (touring the UK before a short stint in the West End) delivers on
laughs while homing in on the current of dissatisfaction at the heart of
Leigh’s characters.
Glamourous Beverley and her
aspirational estate agent husband, Laurence, host a drinks evening for new
neighbours, Angela and Tony. They are soon joined by divorced mum of two, Sue,
while her teenage daughter hosts her own raucous party at home. As the evening
unfolds, facades slip in hysterical and poignant fashion. Peter McKintosh’s
design feels authentically 70’s - a sea of warm colours, furnished in teak
veneer and beige leather – which is occasionally brought into stark relief via
Howard Harrison’s strobe lighting.
The small ensemble cast all
gel well and share impeccably tight comic timing. Kevin Bishop’s posturing
Laurence is all show with little substance, as he shows off his unread
gold-embossed copies of Shakespeare. Bishop’s wandering accent is a nice touch
that hints at Laurence’s insecurities. In contrast, Omar Malik is quietly intimidating
beneath Tony’s monosyllabic, pretty-but-dumb appearance. Yet, it is the women
who unashamedly steal the show. Lauren Patel is wildly funny as the outwardly
naïve and tactless Angela. Initially a dim-witted puppet echoing the thoughts
of the older and apparently more sophisticated Beverly, Patel excels in
offering glimpses into the loneliness of her marriage to Tony – when Beverley
gleefully jibes ‘is he often violent?’, her meek response, ‘no, just a bit
nasty’ is quietly heartbreaking. Furthermore, during the dramatic denouement,
the tables are turned and Angela becomes the pivotal player, and Patel again
exposes the hidden depths of the character. Tamzin Outhwaite gives her all,
holding court as the horrific Beverley, visibly fracturing before our eyes as
she tries to control her curated image of cultured tastelessness and force her
idea of ‘fun’ on those around her. Her oft repeated catch phrases ‘great!’,
‘have a little [coffee/cigarette/dance]’ and ‘know what I mean?’ add to the
level of hysterical tension as she progressively speaks through gritted teeth
and rictus grin.
Fall’s direction plays up
the laughs and cringe-inducing faux-pas but ramps up to a climax of awkward
realisation – we’re still giggling when it dawns on us that the action on stage
is not funny anymore. Our final perspective is upended and we’re humbled,
driven to sympathise with the overbearing yet vulnerable Beverley. Leigh’s play
works because the characters are instantly recognisable as stalwarts of the
British middle-classes, they are brash at times but emerge as fully rounded
people. It may seem trite to compare two such well known classics, but I was at
times reminded of Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf in the play’s
exploration of marriage (not to mention the level of alcohol consumed!), albeit
Leigh imbues the bitterness of stale relationships with a very British wit and
‘kitchen sink’ authenticity. I have never seen the famed BBC adaptation of Abigail’s
Party, but I can see now why it’s such an enduring and beloved piece of
homegrown drama. Fall and co. present a highly polished revival featuring some
knock out performances that highlight the resonance of Leigh’s themes in
today’s society.
Abigail’s Party plays at Curve, Leicester until 18th July. For more information, please visit https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/abigails-party-2/
It plays the Harold Pinter Theatre from 12th August - 19th September.
