This review contains a spoiler.
Ferring Amateur Dramatic Society presented a production of the Mike
Leigh play "Abigail's Party" which was originally a 'Play for Today' on
the BBC.
The play is very representative of its time, right down to a lava lamp centre stage.
The Abigail of the title never appears. The party is next door to Abigail's house and includes a very worried Abigail's mother played excellently by Lina Grinstead.
A neighbour, Angela played by Julie Cleasby, adds humour to the production, especially with her unforgettable dancing. Her monosyllabic husband, played by Steve Baker, finds her such an embarrassment he allegedly suggested she could do with sellotape over her mouth.
The man of the house, played by Niall Conlan, is a local estate agent who is worked to death, quite literally.
The star of the show is Beverly, the excruciating host, played superbly by Sue Burroughs. A seventies' suburban party which starts out moderately dreadful deteriorates and deteriorates under Beverly's influence.
This is a first class production.
The play is very representative of its time, right down to a lava lamp centre stage.
The Abigail of the title never appears. The party is next door to Abigail's house and includes a very worried Abigail's mother played excellently by Lina Grinstead.
A neighbour, Angela played by Julie Cleasby, adds humour to the production, especially with her unforgettable dancing. Her monosyllabic husband, played by Steve Baker, finds her such an embarrassment he allegedly suggested she could do with sellotape over her mouth.
The man of the house, played by Niall Conlan, is a local estate agent who is worked to death, quite literally.
The star of the show is Beverly, the excruciating host, played superbly by Sue Burroughs. A seventies' suburban party which starts out moderately dreadful deteriorates and deteriorates under Beverly's influence.
This is a first class production.
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