Seventies satire's still razor sharp

ESSEX 1977. Beverly is hosting, the alcohol is flowing, Demis Roussos is on the record player and the cheese and pineapple cocktail sticks are ready to go.

- CURTAIN CALL WITH JEFFREY DAVIES

Queen of the Castle in her own suburban semi, Beverly and husband Laurence welcome new neighbours Angela and Tony round for drinks. Sue from next door is invited too but the real party is happening back at her place, as Sue's teenage daughter Abigail can’t seem to keep the racket down. Awkward small talk quickly descends into inappropriate flirtation and marital disputes. A soiree from hell. But it would be rude to leave..!

Tamzin Outhwaite, much-loved from her television roles including EastEnders, Red Cap, Hotel Babylon and New Tricks, and Kevin Bishop known for many roles in film and television including The Kevin Bishop Show and Muppet Treasure Island, lead the cast as Beverly and Laurence Moss in this revival of the Stratford East production of Abigail’s Party which takes to the stage of the Theatre Royal Bath next week as part of a UK tour.

Described as a “a razor-sharp portrait of social class, materialism and sexual freedom in 1970s England,’ the ferocious black comedy is, “an unmissable modern classic” from the pen of the much-celebrated English film and theatre director, screenwriter and playwright, Mike Leigh.

During a sold-out run in 2024, this production of Abigail’s Party (presented by Theatre Royal Bath Productions) amassed a host of stellar reviews.

West Country audiences are in for a treat with this one, I suggested to Essex-born Tamzin Outhwaite who is playing Beverly, one of the most iconic characters in British theatre.

“Yes, absolutely. We did this before in 2024 with the same director (Nadia Fall). We have just one cast member who is completely different this time; the wonderful Lauren Patel. We only had two weeks rehearsal time. I’m hoping that we build on what we had last time which was already fantastic. We had the most wonderful time,’ the delightful actress told me ahead of the award-winning drama’s arrival in Bath.