Cast: Menier’s Abigail’s Party Tour
The revival, co-produced by the Menier Chocolate Factory and the
Theatre Royal Bath, ran from 8 March (previews from 2 March) to 2 April
at the South London venue.
Set in 1970’s suburbia Abigail’s Party
sees Beverly and her husband Laurence host a drinks party for their
neighbours. There is plenty of alcohol, an array of cheese-pineapple
savoury bites and olives, and Demis Roussos on the record player. As
prejudices are unmasked and tempers flare, the evening can only end in
disaster…
A situation comedy of manners set in “the London side of Essex”, Abigail’s Party debuted at the Hampstead Theatre in 1977, returning to play a total of 104 performances. That revival, directed by David Grindley, transferred to the West End in 2003, running first at the New Ambassadors and then at the Whitehall starring Elizabeth Berrington.
The Menier Chocolate Factory has a strong history of transferring its productions into the West End with musicals Sunday
in the Park with George, La Cage Aux Folles, A Little Night Music,
Sweet Charity, Little Shop of Horrors, Maria Friedman: Re-arranged and a double bill of plays, Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine, all having been staged at the Menier before moving to larger West End houses.
The cast includes: Hannah Waterman as Beverly, Martin Marquez as Laurence, Samuel James as Tony and also stars Katie Lightfoot and Emily Redmond.
Abigail’s Party is at the Lowry from 29 April – 4 May.
