Abigail's Party

Abigail's Party

The play “Abigail’s Party” is a popular piece of work from the renowned writer and director Mike Leigh, whose work has appeared both on the stage and the screen. It first appeared back in the 1970s and it is now the turn of the Menier Chocolate Factory to provide it with a stage once again, this time with Lindsay Posner stepping into the role of director and Jill Halfpenny taking on a lead role. So once the production “Pippin” ends its run towards the latter days of February 2012, a classic work from one of Britain’s best known playwrights will replace it at the London Bridge theatre from March.

The plot of “Abigail’s Party” focuses on a gathering of neighbours at the house of Beverly and Laurence. The attendees are Angela and Tony, two new neighbours whose arrival has spawned the gathering, and Susan, whose daughter Abigail is throwing the eponymous party back at home. Laurence arrives at the party late and soon a sense of tension is replaced by awkwardness as he must witness his wife flirt more and more with Tony. Meanwhile, whilst the alcohol supplies decrease, there is an increase in prejudices, obsessions and bad tempers as the night continues to its shocking conclusion.

Jill Halfpenny is an actress whose work has spanned the stage and screen. To London theatre audiences she might be most recognisable from the blockbuster show “Legally Blonde the Musical”, though she has also appeared in West End versions of “Chicago” at the Cambridge Theatre and “Calendar Girls” at the Noel Coward Theatre. Beyond the theatre scene she is also known for the likes of “Waterloo Road”, in which she portrayed Izzie Redpath, “Strictly Come Dancing”, which she won in 2004, and “EastEnders” in which she portrayed the role of Kate Mitchell. So she has fans from both television and the stage and it ensures that there will be plenty of people picking up theatre tickets

So with Lindsay Posner directing following her recent stint on “Noises Off” at the Old Vic Theatre, “Abigail’s Party” is in safe hands as it heads to the Menier Chocolate Factory. It appears at the London Bridge theatre from Thursday 8th March 2012 (previews from Friday 2nd March 2012) until Saturday 21st April 2012.

Venue Information and Directions

Menier Chocolate Factory
51-53 Southwark Street
London
SE1 1RU

Seating Plan

Directions

Directions
Take the Northern Line to London Bridge station. The theatre is a 5 minute walk.