Abigail’s party

[Namechangedforthis25]

I just watched this play. It was funny but uncomfortable.

I thought it would be about Abigail’s party rather than what it ended up being though. It’s odd. Why is it such a classic??

I agree it is an uncomfortable watch, but the acting, the dialogue, the character interaction is on a different level that you rarely see these days.

That’s why it’s a classic. Back when it was first broadcast it was just another play for today. It’s only now when we have been used to TOWIE, Big Brother, Kardashians et al that we appreciate just what a masterpiece of tv entertainment it was.

Fun fact: Angela Steadman (Beverly) and Janine Duvitski (Angela) both trained at East 15 acting school in Essex. I don't know if they knew each other or were even contemporaries there but they have great, understated chemistry.

I have seen this live with Amanda Abington playing Beverley. It was very good. The set was authentic 70's.

I love Abigails Party so much!!! It's just perfect dark comedy. Social satire. It IS uncomfortable that's what makes it funny. But I guess we all have different senses of humour.
I also absolutely love the painting 'The Wings of Love' I always hope to find it in charity shops but as yet have been unlucky

I love the period setting - as we can appreciate it now.

Highly recommend Nuts in May to watch next. Also uncomfortable viewing.

I thought the same when I watched it. I absolutely loved the other Mike Leigh play Nuts in May..that was uncomfortable viewing at times too, but hilarious, this just made me squirm!

I recently saw it at the theatre with Tamsin Outhwaite as Beverly. It was riveting.

It's a masterpiece of it's time

It's a brilliant play. The dialogue is very well written and the themes are still relevant today.

Mike Leigh's work normally does make you feel uncomfortable.

I remember my dad loving Abigails party. Think it went over my head as a child. I’ll have to try it again.

It's supposed to make you feel uncomfortable. It's such a brilliantly observed piece of drama. I love it but my husband doesn't enjoy uncomfortable viewing. He dislikes Alan partridge for the same reason - makes him squirm 😄

Play for Today was absolutely brilliant. Nuts in May is just a stunning piece, I hope they put it on TV again as I haven’t seen it in years..

Just looked it up and Nuts in May is available on Amazon Prime Video and also DVD and VHS.

It also got a huge audience when it was first broadcast (16 million) because there were only 3 TV channels and ITV were on strike and BBC2 was down due to a storm.

I loved Abigail’s party. I saw it live with Elizabeth Berrington as the lead - she was awesome.

I do love a Mike Leigh film - obviously the way he works is very different but the calibre of actors he has worked with over the years is exceptional. A very underrated but excellent film is ‘Secrets and Lies’ which I would recommend.

I always felt sorry for Abigail's mum!
Secrets and lies is a great Leigh film too
Tackles a difficult subject well

Saw this recently at Rose theatre in Kingston. Excellent production, but it was just like being at a real party with those characters, I felt uncomfortable and wanted it to be over quickly so I could leave.

I love Abigail's Party . I also used to have the 'Wings of love' picture in my bedroom many years ago ! Alison Steadman was married to Mike Leigh at the time and was also heavily pregnant when she played the part of Beverly .

Much prefer Nuts in May; I think it's much more timeless than Abigail's Party.

'YOU'LL BE TOLD!!!!'

I remember the ' play for today ' being such solid dramas that often shone a light on social issues with some cracking writing
Alan Bennett is another writer I really like

@Belindabelle Alison Steadman is superb as Beverly, which I think does help.

I love the Plays For The Day, we need something currently of similar quality . I think the nearest that comes close are drama series like Moving On by Jimmy McGovern.

Moving on and clocking off were good.

I saw Elizabeth Berrington, too. She really was amazing. Possibly even better than Alison Steadman.

And Nuts in May is wonderful. “Get back to your tenements!”