Abigail's Party Tickets

Mike Leigh’s “Abigail’s Party” makes a welcome return to a London stage in 2012 as Lindsay Posner directs Jill Halfpenny in the production at the Menier Chocolate Factory. It will be a brand new opportunity for London theatre audiences to witness one of the British playwright’s most celebrated plays in a venue that continues to have a strong influence on the West End. The home of previous hits like “La Cage Aux Folles” has been presenting “Pippin” since 2011 but when that production ends in February 2012, the stage is set for another of Mike Leigh’s works to remind audiences how he has become one of the country’s most renowned talents.

The eponymous Abigail’s Party is an event thrown by the daughter of Susan, though it is the latter’s meeting with Beverly and Laurence at their home that is the focus of the play. The couple have also invited their new neighbours, Angela and Tony, to a small gathering and together they all become embroiled in a disastrous evening full of tension and awkwardness as prejudices arise, obsessions surface and bad tempers rule. Eventually, with the alcohol levels continuing to decrease, the night heads to its shocking conclusion.

Actress Jill Halfpenny is well known both with fans of the stage and with viewers of television shows like “Waterloo Road”, in which she portrayed Izzie Redpath, “EastEnders”, in which she played Kate Mitchell, and “Strictly Come Dancing”, which she won in 2004. Her theatre credits include many well known West End musicals like “Chicago” at the Cambridge Theatre and “Legally Blonde the Musical” at the Savoy Theatre, in addition to “Calendar Girls” at the Noel Coward Theatre. She has also appeared in regional shows in venues around the country.

Meanwhile, Lindsay Posner, directs the production on the back of numerous high profile gigs over the years. She recently directed “Noises Off” at the Old Vic Theatre, with prior credits that include “Butley” at the Duchess Theatre, “A View from the Bridge” at the Duke of York’s Theatre, “Carousel” at the Savoy Theatre and “Fool for Love” at the Apollo Theatre.

“Abigail’s Party” begins its run at the Menier Chocolate Factory on Thursday 8th March 2012 (previews from Friday 2nd March 2012) and continues to Saturday 21st April 2012.