Review: Abigail’s Party at the Royal Exchange - "hilarious, claustrophobic, and hauntingly relevant"

Helen Clarke

Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party, a cult classic that’s equal parts comedy, tragedy, and social commentary, gets a pitch-perfect revival at the Royal Exchange Theatre under the sharp direction of Natalie Abrahami.

A master of subtle tension and awkward hilarity, Leigh’s 1977 play is reimagined in-the-round, creating a party atmosphere so immersive that you’ll feel like a guest - although one who may want to quietly slip out once the chaos begins to bubble over.

Kym Marsh is exceptional as Beverly Moss, the overbearing hostess who embodies 70s suburban aspiration and passive-aggressive charm. Marsh’s comedic timing is razor-sharp - every line delivered with a wink, a pout, or a pointed barb that had the audience in stitches.

The onstage chemistry between Marsh and Graeme Hawley, who plays her long-suffering husband Laurence, is electric. Their portrayal of a couple locked in a dance of resentment and routine is heartbreakingly funny and painfully real.

The supporting cast adds delicious layers to the evening's slow-burning disaster. Tupele Dorgu brings quiet dignity and discomfort to Susan, the divorced neighbour trying not to unravel, while Yasmin Taheri’s Angela and Kyle Rowe’s Tony round out the guest list with both charm and tension.

Each character is perfectly placed to poke at the class anxieties and gender politics of the time. Despite being set in a single living room - complete with cheese and pineapple hedgehogs, olives no one wants, and an ever-present drinks trolley, the staging never feels static.

Peter Butler’s design captures 70s domestic kitsch without slipping into caricature, and the clever in-the-round setup only heightens the claustrophobia as the night unfolds. You may arrive laughing at the wallpaper, but you’ll leave reflecting on the undercurrents running beneath each cocktail.

There’s a nostalgic sheen to the production that resonates with audiences of all ages. Whether you grew up with Abigail’s Party or are discovering it for the first time, there’s a familiarity to the music, the fashion, and even the social awkwardness that transcends generations.

And yes - even millennials and Gen Z know a cheese and pineapple hedgehog when they see one.

What sets this production apart is its emotional arc. The first half leans into satire and farce, but by the end, there’s a gut-punch of emotional truth. Attitudes toward women, class, and relationships are sharply dissected.

You could feel the audience shift in their seats as the laughter gave way to discomfort, the play holding a mirror up to then - and now. Abrahami’s direction brings fresh energy to a well-loved play, balancing humour and heartbreak with impressive control.

The Royal Exchange’s production proves that Abigail’s Party isn’t just a relic of 70s television - it’s a timeless, biting exploration of human behaviour that still hits home.

And one final note: Abigail, as it turns out, isn’t who you think she is - but by the time the evening ends, it’s clear that her absence is as powerful as her presence might have been.

The verdict? ★★★★★ - Unmissable. A hilarious, claustrophobic, and hauntingly relevant night at the theatre.