Abigail's Party by Mike Leigh, Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London SW1 | until 19 September 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell
Photo Credit: Ellie Kurz
Abigail's Party
by Mike Leigh
Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London SW1 | until 19 September 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by William Russell
“Outhwaite is absolutely fabulous.”
Tamzin Outhwaite wearing a fabulous golden kimono, platform heels with golden locks flying all over the place delivers a breathtaking and very funny Beverly, the suburban hostess who has invited the new neighbours s plus Sue next door whose teenage daughter is the Abigail holding a party, in for drinks, This production immaculately directed by Nadia Fall, already seen two years ago at Stratford East, has now come in to town for a summer run. Leigh wrote the play in 1977, and it has since then been endlessly revived as Beverly, first played by Alison Steadman, is a role actresses love to play. It was then an acidly funny portrayal of an upwardly mobile section of 1977's new middle class which has changed slightly over the years and in this production the new neighbours, footballer Tony (Omar Malik) and wife Angela (Lauren Patel) are Asians there are new levels of things to be appalled at in Beverly's behaviour. Such neighbours might not have been welcome in 1977 but forget that and see how she sets about thrusting drink on Angela while making a move on the not too unwilling Tony. Beverley's husband Laurence is an estate agent anxious to be seen as cultured. He has all the works of Shakespeare, none of which he has read, and a terrible record collection, while she is obsessed with this new, world they have joined, one of drinks and canapes, of cheddar cheese and pineapple chunks on sticks, G- plan furniture, and reproduction old masters in the wall just to prove how cultured they are. They have no children by choice; she is bored with her husband (Kevin Bishop on fine form as a man who likes to be liked). She is also intent on having a good time regardless of what anyone else wants, especially the hapless Sue (Pandora Colin). Outhwaite is simply fabulous and the rest of the cast lend perfect support. The set by Peter McKintosh recreates exactly the kind of home Beverly would have created and the sound of that party is what it would have been, all credit to sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite. Whether the play needs yet another revival is one of those things – the original version captured on film really was pitch perfect – but this one does give Outhwaite the chance to strut her stuff and that she most certainly does.
Cast
Tamzin Outhwaite – Beverly
Kevin Bishop – Laurence
Pandora Colin – Sue
Omar Malik – Tony
Lauren Patel – Angela
Creatives
Director - Nadia Fall
Set & Costume Designer – Peter McKintosh
Lighting Designer – Howard Harrison
Sound Designer – Alexandra Faye Braithwaite
Movement Director – James Cousins
