Ipurangi Maoritanga - Maori Culture Online
British reviewers have called it the most painful hundred minutes in British comedy-drama, and this September, Abigail’s Party is being unleashed on Auckland theatre-goers.
In 1977 Romford, Essex: Aspirational hostess-with-the-mostest Beverly Moss is having a ‘do’. There’s cheese, there’s pineapple, there’s pass-agg on a plate, and the gin-soaked cracks are starting to show.
Ice and lemon, anyone?
Mike Leigh’s critically acclaimed Abigail’s Party is a darkly funny and squirm-worthy peek at 70s Britain through the window of suburban malaise.
Sashay into the living room of upwardly mobile wannabes Beverly and Laurence as they entertain new neighbours from across the road Angela and Tony, and divorcee Susan from No.9.
Mike Leigh has been nominated for seven Oscars for his films Happy Go Lucky and Secrets and Lies, which also won the Palm D’Or at Cannes in 1996.
Sam Snedden directs: Simon Vincent (Metamorphosis, Salon, Heat), Andi Crown (Go Girls, August Osage County), Sophie Roberts (The Weight of Elephants, The Laramie Project, Wolf’s Lair), Nic Sampson (Black Confetti, The End of the Golden Weather) and Jacque Drew (Shortland Street, Cloud 9).
Snedden is known well for his acting roles with Silo Theatre Company (The Pride, The Only Child, Private Lives); Abigail’s Party will be his directorial debut.
Guests are invited to dress up in 70s knitwear on Thursday 12th September to get a two-for-one ticket entry, and stay late on Thursday 19th for a special bonus feature of a live director’s commentary over top of selected scenes from the play.
Between the cringes, audiences will be charmed by this honest portrayal of a surburban soiree, where none can escape the perils of small talk.
The only way through it is with a stiff drink in hand!