Why '70s Classic Abigail's Party is Still So Popular

This awkward, intense but frankly hilarious play first staged at the Hampstead Theatre in London in 1977 but, in our opinion, nothing beats the televised version (for the BBC’s Play for Today programme) starring Gavin & Stacey’s Alison Steadman and Benidorm’s Janine Duvitski.

Beverly is, in her eyes, the queen of suburbia and she hosts a cocktail party whilst 15-year-old Abigail is throwing her own party next door. She’s invited her new neighbours, couple Angela and Tony, to the party as well as Abigail’s mum Susan. No one can stop talking about Abigail’s party, and something must be done about Abigail’s party.

Frustratingly audiences never actually see what’s going on at Abigail’s party. In fact, you never actually see Abigail. Instead this is a play about 1970s life in suburbia and set in one place on one night, Beverly’s house, which becomes a pressure-cooker of emotions as she pushes her husband Laurence to the limit.

Abigail’s Party is a cult-classic comedy and the staging already has us sold before Beverly even struts onto the stage. The set has everything that makes the play what it is, and there’s plenty of room for dancing later on. It’s Beverly’s house with a shag carpet, real leather sofas (wrapped in plastic of course), table with candelabra, pineapple and cheese sticks, a ‘posh’ kitchen with rotisserie, mini bar with turntable, toilet, washer and dryer and even Laurence’s Mini.

Beverly appears as the lights dim, playing music to get the party started, and the audience (which includes the Duke of Edinburgh, President of The Royal Theatrical Support Trust) is already giggling when Laurence appears in the Mini without anyone realising he’d gotten in. The laughter continues throughout, sometimes as belly laughs and at other times uncomfortable murmurs. Beverly’s overacting, Laurence’s constant stress (due mostly to Beverly’s behaviour), Tony’s bluntness and Angela’s ditziness are heightened as they drink more and more alcohol throughout the evening, as poor Susan is piled with gin leading to violent vomiting to bring act one to an end.

Act two is all cigars and cigarettes featuring increasingly uncontrolled tempers and a Van Gogh and Lowry paining. Laurence’s reactions have the audience in fits of laughter, Tony finally loses it, everyone hates Beverly and Angela gets cramp. Any more detail would spoil the twist for those who haven’t seen the play, and we wouldn’t want that. All we will say is that the casting, including Geordie Joe Blakemore of Jackdaw and Last Christmas fame, and Bridgerton star Amy Rockson, is perfect for this production and it’s a play you might want to drink along to, especially when things take a turn.

As for why the play remains so popular, we can confirm it’s still so relatable – that the desire to fit in has never gone away, and we all need clever comedy like this every now and then.

Abigail’s Party is at Northern Stage until 28th September. RSVP at northernstage.co.uk.