FIVE-time Academy Award nominee Mike Leigh’s (Vera Drake, Secrets and Lies) renowned play Abigail’s Party celebrated it’s 30th anniversary this year with it’s first Irish tour.

The acclaimed social-satire’s run at the Everyman Palace Theatre proved to be so successful it has warranted another run at the venue just one month on. A quick recap: The production, directed by Michael Cabot and staged by London Classic Theatre, reintroduces us to Beverly, Laurence, Tony, Angela and Susan, five suburbanites who are in it together, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, whether they like it or not.

This scathing black comedy was first produced at Hampstead Theatre in 1977, with the role of Beverly immortalized by Alison Steadman (who would later become Leigh’s wife). A record sixteen million people watched its broadcast as the BBC’s Play for Today, underlining its status as a modern classic 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 and Tony, who’s marriage is as unstable as their hosts and Sue, a recent divorcee. As the alcohol flows and the ‘nibbles’ are handed around, this ruthless, but always funny examination of suburban life begins to bite...hard.

London Classic Theatre is a one of the most prolific and thriving touring companies in the UK and Ireland, having established a reputation for producing entertaining, accessible drama of the highest quality. Last year, London Classic Theatre staged the European Premiere of Nightfall by Joanna Murray Smith at the Everyman Palace Theatre. Abigail’s Party runs at the Everyman from Monday, February 25 until Saturday, March 1.

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