Theatre Review - ABIGAIL'S PARTY - NORTHERN STAGE, NEWCASTLE

 

Amy Rockson Leander Deeny and Laura Rogers in Abigail's Party at Northern Stage

Abigail’s Party, by Mike Leigh, is synonymous with seventies’ ‘of its time’ taste and attitudes. However, a lot of those attitudes and insecurities have persisted and I’d challenge you to find a modern suburb without a ‘Beverly’. The curtains may have changed, but the people have not. Perhaps that’s why this play still resonates with a modern audience. Whatever the reason, its delicious in its awkward humour and devilish jibes. For those unfamiliar with the plot, Beverly is holding a small drinks party to get to know her new neighbours, Angela and Tony. She’s also taken pity on divorcee Sue whose teenage daughter, Abigail, is having her first house party. As Beverly and husband Laurence’s social ambitions clash with each other, the party music next door gets louder and you see the cracks within their relationships become larger.

Chaya Gupta Joe Blakemore & Laura Rogers in Abigail's Party at Northern Stage

Director Jack Bradfield brought forth new layers and depth that force even those who are very familiar with this play to look at its characters in a new way. You walk away questioning their behaviour, while also recognising people you know (perhaps even seeing a little of your own insecurities) on stage. All this while experiencing an exquisite evening of awkward pauses, laughs and one hell of a crescendo. The set seemed much larger than the one normally seen for this show with a plush, statement shag carpet and decadent furnishing. A place to show off and lounge around after far too many gin and tonics. However, it still feels claustrophobic and at times downright suffocating to be at this party.  A clever twist of having a disco ball going with loud music blasting in the foyer afterwards made me feel as if I was exiting through Abigail’s actual party. Laura Rogers is resplendent, in a winged chiffon dress, as the over-sexed and incorrigible Beverly. Leander Deeny had the audience both giggling and worrying at his portrayal of Laurence. We see Laurence sneer at people who don’t read the right sort of books, even though he hasn’t read them himself. Joe Blakemore plays the almost wholly monosyllabic Tony with quiet menace and tempered perfection. Perhaps my favourite changes to this show are the way in which Angela (Ange) and Susan (Sue) are portrayed. The stupendous Chaya Gupta shows Ange not as silly and oblivious but socially awkward and painfully aware of her situation. My heart broke for her. Amy Rockson as Sue took the character to a very classy and confident level. Sue may not say much, but not out of shyness. Sue says what she feels she needs too.

An immensely good evening of theatre that should definably be paired with gin and nibbles. Abigails Party is showing at Northern Stage until 28^th September 2024.

Amy Rockson Laura Rogers & Chaya Gupta in Abigail's Party at Northern Stage

Production photos credit Pamela Raith