Welcome back, everyone, to another review!
I was kindly invited by The Mercury Theatre to attend their latest production of Abigail’s Party.

The story takes place over the course of one evening, during a get-together between friends and neighbours, while someone’s daughter hosts a party across the street.

Set in the 1970s, the show truly captures the era through the furniture, appliances, and general atmosphere. The plot centers around the strained marriage of Beverly, a stay-at-home wife, and Laurence, an estate agent juggling the pressures of both his marriage and his business. Beverly loves to entertain, often paying little attention to Laurence, who struggles to hold everything together.

One of the striking visual elements is Beverly’s bright and vibrant costume. While the other characters wear more muted, dull outfits, Beverly’s colorful dress immediately draws attention to her, visually reinforcing her role as the center of the evening’s events. In contrast, Laurence’s costume is the most subdued, further highlighting the tension between them—his bland, dull attire reflects the weight he feels from both his personal and professional life.

The show also weaves in the lives of the other guests, who each bring their own stories and dynamics into the mix. Since the show is intimate, focusing on a small gathering of adults, much of the story unfolds through dialogue. This makes it easy to follow, even if you’re relying mostly on the conversations rather than visual elements. Leander Denny, who plays Laurence, adds moments of physical comedy that break up the verbal exchanges nicely, making the show more engaging and enjoyable.

The set design uses muted, somewhat plain colours, which helps the characters’ costumes stand out. Beverly’s bold attire, in particular, contrasts with the duller palette around her, adding to her commanding presence. However, this sometimes made it harder to visually distinguish between certain scenes. There were moments where the bright lighting, especially against the floor’s white cotton-wool-like material, made some scenes a bit too intense for a few seconds.

Since there isn’t much physical action—aside from the occasional comedic moment and the impactful ending—you won’t miss much of the plot. The tension in Beverly and Laurence’s marriage is clear, as well as the challenges faced by another couple, Susan and Tony, who are younger and newly married. You can sense Tony’s dissatisfaction, and you may find yourself wondering if their relationship will change by the end of the night. I particularly enjoyed the era-appropriate music, which added to the nostalgic atmosphere.

Accessibility-wise, the show is highly dialogue-driven, so there’s little you’d miss visually. While there are occasional bright lights and moments of visual and physical comedy, these elements are brief and don’t take away from the overall experience. The herbal cigarettes used on stage did produce a faint smell, which some people might find noticeable, though it wasn’t overwhelming.

If you’d prefer extra support, there is an Audio Described performance and a Touch Tour available, making the show even more accessible for those who might need it.

Overall, this is really a fantastic night out! The story of the show along with the comedy we have you hooked from start to finish! Whilst you can I can do nothing but recommend this show anyone and everyone! ‘Abigail’s Party’ is running at The Mercury Theatre from 5th until 12th October 2024! If you are interested in more information and where to buy tickets, you can find all that on The Mercury Theatre’s website which I will link here!

Until Next Time,

The VI Critic

Trailer: