Romeo and Juliet

Auditions

Abigail's Party

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 Abigail's Party

22nd– 30th October

Abigail's Party is a suburban situation comedy of manners, and a satire on the aspirations and tastes of the new middle class set in Britain in the 1970s.  Beverly and Laurence are entertaining new neighbours Angela and Tony.  Also invited is Susan whose teenage daughter is throwing a party at which her mother is not welcome. The evening of drinks and nibbles begins with good-will, clichés and small-talk but as the alcohol flows and the strain in Beverly and Laurence's relationship is revealed a rising tension develops which finally snaps with a dramatic denouement.

Developed by Mike Leigh and the cast through detailed improvisation, Abigail's party is almost an institution in the UK and celebrated its 30 anniversary last year.  Although set in the 70's the aspirations and frustrations of suburban life are just are prevalent today.

The Characters:

Beverly - She smokes, she drinks and she drives her husband Laurence to distraction. A department store make-up representative, she has failed her driving test a few times. She flirts with Tony and is always trying to impress her guests. She considers her taste in music and art to be every bit as good as that of her husband. She constantly bickers with and belittles her husband.

Laurence – Real estate Laurence is Beverly's husband, with whom he frequently argues. He aspires to the finer things in life: leather-bound Shakespeare (which he admits he never reads), prints of Van Gogh and Lowry paintings, and Beethoven.  He seems powerless to compete with Beverly's more flamboyant persona, and consequentially overworks, as his wife points out on several occasions. He considers a brisk handshake to be correct practice after a dance.

Angela - Tony's wife whom she married 3 years ago. Appears very meek. She can't drive, as Tony doesn't want her to. Interested in the mundane and commonplace, much to her husband's annoyance. A nurse by profession she comes into her own when Sue feels queasy and her nursing skills are put to good use.

Tony - Used to play professional football but it "didn't work out", now works with computers. His feelings towards his wife Angela are mixed: on the one hand she cared for him when he was injured; on the other hand she is a constant reminder of the injury that wrecked his football career. Beverly flirts with him much to the annoyance of her husband Laurence.

Susan – Perhaps slightly older than the others, Sue was getting divorced at the same time the other characters were getting married, as kindly pointed out by Angela. She is a quiet character who doesn't really have the courage to say no. She is the only female not 'dressed-up' for the gathering. She clearly would rather be elsewhere and is distracted by her daughter's party going on down the street.

Season: 
22nd– 30th October 

8pm (Apart from Sunday the 26th at 5pm)

Bookings: 

Phone: 489 8360

Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm

Online:

www.pumphouse.co.nz

In person: 

The Pumphouse, Killarney Park, Takapuna

Mon – Fri 9am - 5pm

Adults: $25.00 

Concession: $22.50

(Plus Booking Fee of $4)

An ideal show for fundraising groups. Please apply to The Pumphouse Box Office 
– 489 8360 for special rates.

Demo of New Website, with Galleries of past productions (Note: slow loading in places on dial-up!).

We're also looking for people to do Front of House, Set Building, Lighting and Sound, Stage Management, Musicians etc- if interested please email Anton at sst@ants.name.

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© ShoreSide Theatre 2008

Last updated 5th September, 2008