Running at the Watford Palace Theatre, from 10 March – 2 April 2022

** Book tickets **

Press Night: 30 March 2022

Pictures: Greta Zabulyte (@greta_film)

I wasn’t sure what to expect, when I embarked on a train from London Euston (just fifteen minutes, mind you!) to Watford Junction. My only recollection of the station is that the London > Manchester trains would stop at “Watford Junction”. So therefore, I was really pleased to stop after a very short journey and a walk over to Palace Theatre. Situated off Clarendon Road, it beams with the red letters as you approach it and I could see the posters for Abigail’s Party, which was a show I’d heard a lot about from friends who performed it by the revered playwright Mike Leigh.

Having never seen Abigail’s Party I went in with an open mind; therefore, I was really impressed to see a beautiful set designed by Rebecca Brower. There were five paintings adorning a really nice set, which was representative of the 70s era in which the play is set. From records players, to pineapple-cheese sticks and retro drinks trolly – it felt like you were in the living room of Beverly and Laurence’s home.

For those of you not as familiar with the storyline, here’s a little primer to jog your memory if you’d seen in in the past – and have now wanted reminding of the plot:

A painfully funny comedy of marriage and class.

Welcome to 1970s suburbia and its heady mix of free-flowing drinks, classic disco and cheese & pineapple sticks. Aspirational Beverly and her estate agent husband Laurence are hosting drinks for their new, and newly-wed, neighbours. They are joined by a very anxious Susan, banished from her daughter Abigail’s party. As the evening goes on, marital tensions rise and tempers flare as the characters’ true natures are hilariously and ruthlessly exposed.

There are tender moments, as well as laugh-out-loud moments where one would not think a play from 1977 would still ring home to truths/relevance. At its greatest moments, the comedic timing was what impressed; this in particular by Sue (played by Tina Chiang) as well as Beverly (played by Goldy Notay). The direction of Pravesh Kumar was also a highlight, in that the way the action unfolded was really interesting, with the set mainly staying the same, but with one moment where we get to see the space utilised for some action as the play came to a halt.

I would highly recommend that you get a ticket to this production, and two women of colour in the roles was refreshing to see, and they brought so much to the stage; for me, the shimmy-ing action was a highlight, as was the way serious issues were portrayed in a relatable manner for couples, which still ring true even in 2022.