Theatre company takes to the street to promote Abigail’s Party (From York Press)

Theatre company takes to the street to promote Abigail’s Party

11:31am Friday 10th February 2012 in Theatre

MIKE Leigh’s 1977 suburban sitcom Abigail’s Party will be staged by Acomb director, playwright and artist Tom Wilson and his Naloxone Theatre Ensemble in York from Thursday to Saturday.

This is the third play to be directed by Tom, whose last show was the premiere of his biographical punk play The Secret Life Of John Cooper Clarke in Screen Two at Reel Cinemas, in Blossom Street, York, in November 2009.

The caustic Abigail’s Party will be performed “three quarters in the round” at the Friends Meeting House, Quaker Rooms, Friargate, where Danni Greaves will take the lead role of monstrous hostess Beverly.

“This particular Mike Leigh classic has been a long-time dream for me to get to grips with,” says Tom.

“I remember seeing it on television all those years ago. I was astonished by not just how irreverent it was, but also how vindictive and hysterical the characters became as the evening wore on. It’s very much akin to a no-holds-barred English version of Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?”

Tom’s company has been given permission by City of York Council to present scenes from the play at King’s Square and St Sampson’s Square tomorrow, between midday and 3pm.

“This is in order to raise the show’s profile and increase tickets sales,” says Tom.

Tickets for the 8pm evening performances and 3pm Saturday matinee will be available on the door.