London Classic Theatre today announces fourteen further venues for its smash-hit UK and Ireland tour. Abigail’s Party extends its run for three months until 7 October. The entire cast of Rebecca Birch (Beverly), Jo Castleton (Susan), Alice De-Warrenne (Angela), George Readshaw (Tony) and Tom Richardson (Laurence) are confirmed to continue their roles in this production directed by Michael Cabot
Abigail’s Party premièred at Hampstead Theatre in 1977, with the role of Beverly being immortalised by Alison Steadman. The tour, which was originally scheduled to conclude in Wales at Venue Cymru on 15 July, will continue to Theatre Royal Bath from 17-19 July, Greenwich Theatre from 2-5 August and Dundee Rep Theatre from 26-30 September. With 14 new venues on board, the tour will now finish its run at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich from 3-7 October.
Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre, Michael Cabot said today, “I’m delighted to announce that our Abigail’s Party tour is extending for an additional twelve weeks and especially pleased that the original cast are all continuing through until October. They are a terrific ensemble and their work on the show is doing us proud. We made a real effort in rehearsals to dig deep and discover new things in these five iconic characters, and the fact the production continues to evolve and find new resonance is testament to this. At a time when touring theatre has been struggling to redefine its place in the post-COVID era, it’s extremely heartening that the buzz around this show has generated an exceptional level of new interest from venues all over the UK.”
It was 1977, the year of skin-tight polyester, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and Saturday Night Fever. The Sex Pistols were storming up the charts, skateboarding was the latest craze and Angela Rippon danced with Morecambe & Wise.
And at Hampstead Theatre in London, Mike Leigh and his cast were putting the finishing touches to Abigail’s Party, ferocious black comedy and landmark of twentieth-century theatre.
In her suburban living room, Beverly prepares for the arrival of her guests. She and husband Laurence will play host to neighbours Angela, Tony and Susan. As the alcohol flows and the ‘nibbles’ are handed around, Mike Leigh’s ruthless, achingly funny examination of 1970’s British life begins…
