Abigail’s Party: Play for Today

Review

by Alison Graham

Director Mike Leigh’s hit stage play Abigail’s Party was filmed for Play for Today – celebrated by BBC4 this week – in 1977 and overnight became a huge national talking point.

It made a star of Alison Steadman, so extraordinary as the toweringly ghastly social-climbing drinks party hostess Beverly, and ever since it’s been in the upper reaches of every greatest British TV drama of all time poll.

But not everyone was a fan. Dennis Potter hated Abigail’s Party, claiming it was “a prolonged jeer, twitching with genuine hatred”.

So if you’ve never seen it before judge for yourself, as Beverly puts on her Demis Roussos records and presides over the most acutely hideous drinks party ever.

Summary

Comedy, written and directed by Mike Leigh, following the events of a party held in a suburban house. As the night wears on, the guests become increasingly inebriated and indiscreet, paving the way for shocking revelations and home truths. Alison Steadman, Tim Stern, John Salthouse and Janine Duvitski star.

Cast & Crew

Beverly Alison Steadman

Laurence Tim Stern

Tony John Salthouse

Angela Janine Duvitski

Susan Harriet Reynolds

Director Mike Leigh

Writer Mike Leigh

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Drama Comedy