Abigail’s Party

We’ve all been in social situations which slide out of control – but never one so enjoyable (and uncomfortable) to watch as this scathing, hilarious play.  Not that the show is about Abigail’s Party, which is being held noisily down the street from our scene. This is Beverly’s domain, a slice of 1970s suburbia over which she reigns like a queen, hosting her neighbours for drinks and nibbles. It’s the gathering from hell – but this damnation is burning with truth and laughter.

Dawn China as Director demonstrated her mastery of the material and characters, having directed the play twice before. The set (Dawn China and Helen Maden) was pure authentic seventies, complete with garish wallpaper, 3-piece leather suite and prominent room divider.

The cast were smashing, in more ways than one. You can’t put on a show like this successfully without talented actors – and these performers were superb. Pamela Payne sizzled as Beverly – monstrous, mean and obnoxious but also insecure and unhappy. Pam showed us every side of brittle, overbearing Beverly. Her husband, the downtrodden Lawrence, is portrayed with painful panache by Adam Hellier. Christina You played bubbly nurse Angela to perfection. Her character was eager to please and full of enthusiasm but with her own dark secrets. Mikey Real played the morose Tony with appropriate surly menace. Di O’Ferrall’s believable Sue provided the sanity and normality to the gathering – though her character snaps by the end, having had enough of Beverly’s bullying.

Though the play is edging toward its fiftieth anniversary, it remains relatable, comic and fresh. We all want to “fit in”, making the tense merriment timeless and still very funny. As bossy Beverly would say, ‘Fabulous!’ Be sure to see this cult-classic, if you like to laugh.

Judy Neumann

Images: Vargo Studios