A new UK and Ireland tour of Mike Leigh’s classic comedy Abigail’s Party will open at Theatre Royal, Winchester on 1 March 2023.
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 1970s British life begins…
Abigail’s Party was premièred at the Hampstead Theatre in 1977, with the role of Beverly being immortalised by Alison Steadman. A record sixteen million people watched its broadcast as Play for Today, launching its status as a true modern classic and national treasure.
Theatre Royal, Winchester 1-4 March
Marina Theatre, Lowestoft 7 – 8 March
Civic Theatre, Chelmsford 9 – 11 March
Warwick Arts Centre 14 – 18 March
Cast, Doncaster 30 March – 1 April
New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme 5 – 15 April
Churchill Theatre, Bromley 19 – 22 April
Derby Theatre, Derby 21 – 25 June
New Theatre Royal, Lincoln 1 – 2 May
The Atkinson, Southport 4 – 6 May
Perth Theatre, Perth 9 – 13 May
Eden Court, Inverness 17 – 20 May
Oldham Coliseum Theatre 23 – 27 May
Everyman Theatre, Cork 29 May – 2 June
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne 6 – 11 June
Darlington Hippodrome 13 – 17 June
Exeter Northcott 20 – 24 June
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds 27 June – 1 July
Malvern Theatres 4 – 8 July
Venue Cymru, Llandudno 11 – 15 July
