Despite only having seen Abigail's Party performed on stage once before, it is without much question my favourite play, based mostly on the groundbreaking BBC recording in 1977 of the original Hampstead Theatre version. So, there was never going to be any question of enjoying Mike Leigh's fabulous lines and awkward social interaction, but what of this production itself? Beverly and husband Laurence have opened their house for a party, and new neighbour's Tony and Angela are invited, along with neighbour Sue, who due to her daughter Abigail's party, has found herself turned out of her own house. An evening of fun is set to occur, or not. The role of the domineering and generally unlikeable Beverly is so much ingrained in most people who have seen the original as being Alison Steadman's that any actor attempting to play the character must feel a controlling factor upon their shoulder, and as such this character more than any other in director Sarah Esdaile...