Abigail's Party by Mike Leigh
In 2008 FalconGrange Productions performed Two by Jim Cartwright at The Henley Fringe Festival, in 2009 they returned with Abigail's Party, Mike Leigh's ferocious black comedy and landmark of twentieth century theatre.
It's 1977 and in her suburban living room, wannabe society hostess Beverly and her husband Laurence prepare for the arrival of their guests, neighbours Angela, Tony and Sue.
Laurence is a highly strung estate agent who doesn't want to entertain guests and monosyllabic Tony doesn't want to be entertained. Tony's wife Angela however, thinks it's the height of sophistication to be invited to Beverly's party, totally missing the fact that Beverly only has eyes for Tony. Into this awkward situation comes Susan, the mother of Abigail, whose unseen party grows louder by the minute.
As the alcohol flows and the nibbles are handed around, Mike Leigh's ruthless, achingly funny examination of suburban life begins to bite.
To see some pictures from the show click here
Abigail's Party was on from the 20th - 25th July 2009 at 7pm.
Venue - The Green Room, The Kenton Theatre, Henley.
Scroll down for a reivew of Abigail's Party
Cast & Crew
Beverly - Yvie Magee
Laurence - Daniel Creasey
Angela - Lara Lemon
Tony - Rhys Owen
Susan - Katherine Bower
Directed by Redvers Lawson
Review from The Henley Standard -
"Stimulating Suburbia. Most people are happy to spend an evening discussing cars, house prices, curtains and the ordinary things which go to make up day-to-day life. Only a few seek to talk of art, music, theatre, literature and politics - and Mike Leigh wasn't interested in them when he wrote Abigail's Party in 1977. FalconGrange Productions recognised that in their stimulating interpretation of the play which is set in home counties suburbia. This was energetic and pacey with some excellent character portrayals. The Green Room, HAOD's rehearsal and social space next to the Kenton Theatre, may not be the easiest of venues in which to put on a show but the young FalconGrange didn't let that get in their way. Yvie Magee set the pace in the opening scene as she shimmied around her living room, setting out the peanuts and cheese and pineapple snacks, drinking wine. This woman was in your face from the start with exaggerated movements and speech. She was matched by the one character in the play who had any time for reflection - and he wasn't liked for it. Daniel Creasey as Lawrence, Beverley's husband, was the put-upon unhappily married estate agent who cared about art and wished he had talent. No one else cared about talent, they were happy as they were, and as the drink flowed they became happpier and more argumentative. Perhaps the characters were close to caricature at times, but that helped to highlight their foibles. The play built from a running start to a high intensity and the cast never let up on the pressure." M.R.