Precisely Peter Productions brings to Toronto Mike Leigh‘s comedy, Abigail’s Party. The play was written for the stage and television devised and directed in 1977 by Leigh himself. It is a suburban situation comedy of manners, and a satire on the aspirations and tastes of the ‘new middle class’ that emerged in Britain in the 1970s.

The setting is England 1977; the Queen is celebrating her Silver Jubilee, the punk movement is in full swing, and somewhere in suburban Essex, a group of neighbours are getting ready for a little party. Beverly, a brassy aspirational housewife, and her husband Lawrence, a pompus, hen-pecked estate agent, decide to throw a party for a few neighbours.

As the drinks flow, the alcohol begins to take effect, and insults also begin to flow. Beverly, the hostess from hell, starts to humiliates, seduce and dominate her guests (and her husband) before the evening reaches its shocking climax. Sounds like quite the soirée, non?

In this latest version of the play, John Shooter will direct a cast comprised by Anna Hardwick (Beverly), Dylan Roberts (Lawrence), Claire Burns (Angela), Cody Ray-Thompson (Tony), and Astrid Van Wieren (Sue). Designs are by George Quan and Amanda Wong with lighting by Joseph Patrick, and sound by Aaaron Bernstein.

Voted one of the best British comedies of all time, Abigail’s Party captures the intense pain and absurdity of the lives of a group of social climbers, living in 1970’s suburban England. You can join the party, already underway at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace. The show is so popular is has been extended until Sunday, May 10th, starting at 7:30pm; there is also a matinee show Saturday at 2pm. Tickets available online, here.