No Mean Company

Abigail's Party

written by Mike Leigh

7 & 8 May, 2004

No Mean Co present Mike Leigh's hilarious classic character study of the British obsession with social class.

It's 1977...it's the Queen's Silver Jubilee...the Sex Pistols are in the charts...Elvis has left the building...and the Moss's have invited neighbours Tony and Angela, from across the road, and divorcee Susan, from next door, around for a drink...

As the evening progresses, the forced friendliness of the group begins to melt as more drink is consumed and the mood becomes darker...

It's the suburban cocktail-party-from-hell, complete with a hostess with the subtlety of a falling brick, friendships that may not be as they seem, awkward and embarrassing small talk and, ultimately, the almost complete destruction of good manners.



No Mean Company gets into the 1977 party spirit with Abigail

Cumbernauld Advertiser Friday May 14 2004

MIKE Leigh's celebrated 1977 black comedy Abigail's Party was given a first rate production by local amateur drama group No Mean Company at Cumbernauld Theatre last week.

Beverley, married to workaholic Lawrence, has invited new-comers to the neighbourhood, Ange and Tone for a few drinks and a chat.

A third guest is quiet neighbour Sue, a refugee from her own home because her 15 year old daughter Abigail is having a party - and as we all know parents are surplus to requirements on such occasions!

As the evening progresses, much drinking ensues and inhibitions are lost with hidden tensions exposed, which the cast capture brilliantly – Ange's frenetic dance movements went down particularly well, even gaining a round of applause.

The actors also brought to life wonderfully the tragic twist that this play takes.

Angel Milton was terrific as Beverley, really bringing over the sadness of the character, and Anne Murrey was wonderful as her boozing pal Ange. They truly were a formidable double act.

James Howson was very convincing as Lawrence while Geraldine Gordon played the sensitive Sue to perfection. Paul Howitt was excellent as the much put-upon ex-footballer Tone.

Congratulations to first time director Calum Cormack. He has done a great job. The play was well cast and well directed. Nice one, No Mean Company!

Review: Charles Friel

What a swell party Abigail's was

Cumbernauld News & Kilsyth Chronicle Wednesday May 12 2004

Abigail's Party delighted almost sell-out crowds on Friday and Saturday, as local theatre group No Mean Co brought the cocktail party from hell to Cumbernauld Theatre.

But while the party may be from hell the play most certainly isn't. There were laughs throughout the performance, from Angela, played by Anne Murrey, enthusiastically accepting every drink offered, to Lawrence (Jim Howson) becoming more and more embarrassed at his wife Beverly played with a wonderful lack of subtlety by Angel Milton.

Paul Howitt as Tony and Geraldine Gordon, playing divorcee Sue complete the cast. And both have the opportunity to get a few laughs. The audience obviously enjoyed Tony making it clear that he dislikes his wife Angela and Sue's reaction to 'pilchard curry' was side splitting.

However, there was a surprising lack of reaction from the audience when Sue was asked

about her relationship with her ex-husband. As actress Geraldine Gordon is heavily pregnant I was expecting this exchange to at least get a chuckle.

No Mean Co did exactly as they set out to do, successfully recreating the 70s. The set was suitably garish, and Anne Murrey should have got a standing ovation for keeping a straight face while looking at Beverly 's costume and saying 'Oh what a lovely dress.'

The biggest laugh came from one of the small changes director Callum Cormack made to the script. They were rolling in the aisles when Angela said 'Tony's very hot tempered. I think it's because he's Scottish.' The original line 'I think it's because he's got red hair' was changed because Paul Howitt's hair is closer to blond and during his rehearsals his English accent could go from Yourkshire to Cockney mid-sentence.

On the whole the audience enjoyed Abigail's Party. And no wonder. It is a classic play which happily pokes fun at status seeking suburban life.

Whatever No Mean's next show is – it should be decided tonight – judging by Friday's performance it will be a must see.

G.P.