After a triumphant West End season, Lindsay Posner's acclaimed
revival of one of the most popular plays ever written is touring
the UK.
Donna Summer is playing on the stereo. Dishes of cheese and
pineapple are on the coffee table…the social get-together from hell
is about to begin.
Beverly, and estate agent husband Laurence, have invited round new
neighbours, Tony and Ange and nervous divorcee Sue, twitchy about
the party her fifteen year old daughter, Abigail, is throwing over
the road. As Beverly plies the guests with alcohol,
cigarettes, Demis Roussos and nibbles, this horribly compelling
evening descends into drunkenness and debauchery. Comedy,
drama and tragedy combine into an iconic piece of theatre.
Mike Leigh's comedy became an instant classic when it first
appeared as a BBC Play For Today in 1977, the year of the
Queen's Silver Jubilee. It is a ruthlessly accurate
observation of the pretensions of suburbia, a world obsessed with
class and taste and ruled over by the monstrous Beverly!
Mike Leigh is one of Britain's most influential theatre and film
directors. His numerous awards have included Best Comedy
award for the stage play Goose Pimples, a BAFTA for
Outstanding Contribution to Cinema, National Society of Film
Critics Award for Best Film for Life is Sweet, Best
Director Award at Cannes Film Festival for Naked, the
Palme d'Or at Cannes for Secrets and Lies and an Oscar for
Topsy Turvy.
Lindsay Posner recently directed the all-star revival of Noises
Off at the Old Vic and Butley, A View from the Bridge
and Fiddler on the Roofin the West End.
Running Time: 2hr
Running Times are approximate and supplied for guidance only.