Andy Nyman and Natalie Casey Attending Abigail’s Party

Nyman and Casey, alongside Joe Absolom and Susannah Harker, Added to the Mike Leigh Play at the Acclaimed London Theatre

“Abigail’s Party” is due to open its doors at the Menier Chocolate Factory in March with Jill Halfpenny, known for television shows like “EastEnders” and theatre productions like “Legally Blonde the Musical” at the Savoy Theatre, in a lead role. Now more names have been added to the Lindsay Posner-directed production; Andy Nyman, who was recently seen in “Terrible Advice” at the same venue, Natalie Casey, Joe Absolom and Susannah Harker.

Andy Nyman, in addition to the mentioned “Terrible Advice” from writer Saul Rubinek, has starred in various other London theatre productions over the years, including last year’s acclaimed production of “Ghost Stories”, which ran at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Prior to that he appeared in the likes of “Lust” at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and was a co-writer on Derren Brown’s shows “Mind Control”, “Trick of the Mind” and “Something Wicked This Way Comes”, which earned him and Brown a Laurence Olivier Award. For television he has appeared in “Dead Set” and “Stargazing Live”, in addition to films like “Death at a Funeral” and “Black Death”.

Meanwhile, Natalie Casey is best known for television shows such as “Hollyoaks”, in which she portrayed Carol Groves, and “Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps”, in which she played Donna Henshaw. She has also made a name for herself in the capital with productions like “Legally Blonde the Musical” at the Savoy Theatre, “Well” at the Apollo Theatre, “Oklahoma!” at the Chichester Festival Theatre and “Fame” at the Shaftesbury Theatre, in addition to further theatrical productions in locations around the country.

Despite the title of the show, the focus of “Abigail’s Party” is a gathering which is attended by Abigail’s mother Susan. It is thrown by Beverly and Laurence who invite their new neighbours, Angela and Tony, plus Susan to their house for what turns into a disastrous evening. So whilst Abigail has her own party at home, Beverly and Laurence’s night features bad tempers, prejudices, obsessions and ill health as it heads towards its shocking conclusion.

“Abigail’s Party” is at the Menier Chocolate Factory from Thursday 8th March 2012 (previews from Friday 2nd March 2012) until Saturday 21st April 2012.