London Classic Theatre today announces the full cast for their UK tour of Mike Leigh’s classic comedy, Abigail’s Party. Michael Cabot, the founder and artistic director of London Classic Theatre, directs Rebecca Birch (Beverly), Jo Castleton (Susan), Alice De-Warrenne (Angela), George Readshaw (Tony) and Tom Richardson (Laurence).
Abigail’s Party premièred at Hampstead Theatre in 1977, with the role of Beverly being immortalised by Alison Steadman. London Classic theatre’s new tour opens at Theatre Royal, Winchester on 1 March 2023, with recently confirmed dates at Cambridge Arts Centre from 21 – 25 March before touring to a further nineteen venues across the country, concluding in Wales at Venue Cymru on 15 July.
Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre, Michael Cabot said today: “I am delighted to announce the cast for our 2023 tour of Abigail’s Party. Our casting process lies at the centre of everything we do as a company and is fundamental to the work we produce. Not only do we see as many candidates as we can, but we always go through a rigorous recall process where we watch various combinations of actors and how they work together. Putting together the right ensemble is something I have always taken incredibly seriously as those decisions have such a key impact on the work. Our policy has always been to draw from our incredible ‘core company’ as well as opening the door to as many new faces as possible. In this instance, two of the cast are returning to us from previous shows and the remaining three actors are new to the LCT fold. I think we have assembled a first-rate company of actors with impeccable theatre pedigree and can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with them.”
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…
Tickets available here: Abigail's Party - Malvern Theatres (malvern-theatres.co.uk)
Photo credit: Sheila Burnett
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