- THEATRE ROYAL BATH PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS 40TH ANNIVERSARY PRODUCTION OF MIKE LEIGH’S ABIGAIL’S PARTY, DIRECTED BY SARAH ESDAILE AND STARRING AMANDA ABBINGTON
- PRODUCTION IS CURRENTLY EMBARKING ON A UK TOUR WITH OFFICIAL OPENING NIGHT ON THURSDAY 6 APRIL AT OXFORD PLAYHOUSE
Theatre Royal Bath Productions has today released production photography of Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party starring Amanda Abbington and directed by Sarah Esdaile. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the classic comedy, the production opened at Theatre Royal Bath and has its official opening night for press on Thursday 6 April at Oxford Playhouse before continuing on its UK Tour and to London’s West End.
Sherlock star Amanda Abbington will play Beverly. Ms Abbington will be joined by Ben Caplanas Laurence, Rose Keegan as Susan, Charlotte Mills as Angela and Ciarán Owens as Tony.
The drinks party from hell begins when Beverly and estate agent husband Laurence invite round new neighbours, Tony and Ange, along with nervous divorcee Sue, jittery about the bash her teenage daughter, Abigail, is throwing up the road. As that party gets out of hand, this one too descends into chaos.
Amanda Abbington is best known for her television work, with recent roles including ‘Mary Morstan’ in Sherlock, ‘Miss Mardle’ in Mr Selfridge and ‘DS Jo Moffat’ in Cuffs.
Ben Caplan most recently starred in Hedda Gabler (Salisbury Playhouse) and as Eddie Kassner inSunny Afternoon (Harold Pinter Theatre). He is also known for his role as PC Peter Noakes in the first five series of BBC’s Call The Midwife.
Rose Keegan’s stage credits include Alan Ayckbourn’s Bedroom Farce (Aldwych Theatre) andThe Revengers’ Comedies (Strand Theatre), Cunegonde in Candide and Peterchen inSugardollies (Gate Theatre).
Charlotte Mills played Tanya in the original production of Jerusalem at the Royal Court, then at the Apollo Theatre West End and The Music Box Theatre on Broadway. Other recent credits include The Two Gentlemen of Verona at Shakespeare’s Globe and The Winter’s Tale at the RSC.
Ciarán Owens’ theatre work includes Candide, Titus Andronicus and Mad World My Masters for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Oh! What A Lovely War (Theatre Royal Stratford East).
Sarah Esdaile directed Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads for Theatre Royal Bath’s 2015 Summer Season. She was Associate Director at West Yorkshire Playhouse where productions includedDeep Blue Sea starring Maxine Peake, Death of a Salesman with Philip Jackson and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.