Carmel ThomasonAbigail’s Party was first staged as a play in 1977, and then later screened on television to great acclaim. The play was as much of its time as the Cinzano adverts with Leonard Rossiter and Joan Collins, and like the ad has since filtered down into folklore. It’s one of those plays people – probably people who themselves go to dinner parties – quote from extensively, so lodged is it in their psyche.
More than 45 years on it is being staged again, with Kym Marsh in the lead role as Beverly, a part that will forever be associated with Alison Steadman. It must be a daunting task to take on a role so bound up with another actor in people’s imagination but Marsh does a brilliant job of delivering a Beverly who is entirely her own (albeit with the odd splash of Mrs Merton thrown in for good measure).
The sense of anticipation in the audience before the play starts is palpable and people are eager to greet an old friend to see what they’ve been up to since they last met. The laughs are embedded from the start as Beverly flounces on stage in a dress which screams 1970s suburban sophistication – Nana Mouskouri meets Debenhams, perhaps.
Marsh is never without a drink or a cigarette in hand throughout the play and her facial expressions compete with her lines for the best laughs. She adopts a pitch perfect Mancunian drawl which brings a welcome home touch to this production. If there ever was a star vehicle for an actor it’s this one and Marsh rises to the challenge in giving us a Beverly who is both glorious and pitiable.
Stunning as Marsh’s performance is, she is lucky to be surrounded by great ensemble acting. Graeme Hawley brings a touch of Alan Partridge to the role of downtrodden husband Laurence, whose petit bourgeoise existence is exemplified by his appreciation of reproduction art, love of ‘light’ classical music, and an uneasy sense that the neighbourhood is going downhill. Hawley’s tightly-wound performance is a joy to watch, his simmering explosions finally finding tragic release.
The newcomers Laurence instinctively distrusts, Angela and Tony – or ‘Ange and Tone’ as Beverly calls them – come round for a dinner party, along with fellow neighbour Sue, whose daughter Abigal is hosting the eponymous party. Nurse Ange is played with doey-eyed insouciance by Yasmin Taheri, doting on husband Tony while fearful of his violent outbursts. Beverly lusts after ex-footballer Tony (played with guttural intensity by Kyle Rowe) from the moment she sets her eyes on him. Their fondling dance together is one of the highlights of a show which knows it doesn’t need to play for laughs given the script delivers so much.
The play by Mike Leigh is certainly of its time and it shows in places, but the attitudes of social climbing, childlessness and marital discord ring true as much today as when first aired at the Hampsted Theatre all those years ago. The show is a real treat.
Abigail’s Party is at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester from 4 April to 24 May 2025. Age guidance 14+
Steve Timms
Martin Thomasson