"Abigail's Party" by Mike Leigh
Derby Theatre.

I'd forgotten what a wonderful piece of theatre this play is, but tonight refreshed my love for this Mike Leigh slice of suburban seventies soiree.

Beverley is throwing a small but select "do" consisting of their new neighbours, Angela and Tony and Susan, mother of Abigail, who is having a teenage party a few doors down. Laurence, Bev's husband, is racing around catching up with his work as well as racing around after Bev..

As the evening continues we hear snatches of the back stories of all the characters and slowly, secrets are revealed about all five of them, giving us a more rounded image, as well as a darker side to them all.

Tony and Laurence are sent off to make sure that all is well at Abigail's party, Tony returning a while after Laurence confirming that all is OK to Susan, who takes ill after Bev continually topping up her drinks. All on an empty stomach as well!

The evening ends in a very dark way for one of the five.

The cast are excellent.

Melissa Gutteridge (Beverley) is wonderfully flirty as the hostess with the mostest.

Christopher Staines (Laurence) really encompasses the hard working husband, slightly under the thumb with a bit of a rebellious streak.

Amy Downham (Angela) has a wonderful character to play and her voice is delightfully infuriating while also keeping that comic edge, Angela sometimes lets her tongue run away with her while trying to keep up with Bev's life tales.

Liam Bergin (Tony) depicts the typical 70's heart throb. Long hair, beard, tache, hairy chest, smart, trendy clothes and at times mysteriously silent. He also used to be a pro footballer - for a short time. It makes you wonder why he has married Angela at times. You can tell he has an eye for the ladies as he is seduced by Beverley, right under everyone's nose.

Susie Emmett (Susan) is also another wonderful character driven part, as are all the characters in this play. Susan is well bred, divorced and nervous about leaving Abigail and the party, especially with all the horror stories the others drip feed her about their past party experiences.

A brilliant set (Lee Newby) which depicts the typical 1970's middle class home, complete with lava lamp and other seventies lights, bar, furniture, wall coverings and vinyl. Baccarra, Elvis and of course Demis Roussos. As only to be expected the clothes are wonderful, also designed by Lee Newby. That is what makes this play fascinating to watch, the attention to detail.

Brilliantly directed to make sure that the comedy and pathos, and the final dramatic ending were well balanced, Douglas Rintoul has kept all the magical feel of the era but still managing to make it feel like this was the first time that I had seen the play.

Ivan Stott did a great job with the sound design as did Zoe Spurr with the light design.

Mike Leigh's writing has stood the test of time and this wonderful production proves it.

"Abigail's Party" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 20 October 2018