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JILL HALFPENNY to star in ABIGAIL’S PARTY at Menier Chocolate Factory

ABIGAIL’S PARTY 


by Mike Leigh 
Directed by Lindsay Posner 



Menier Chocolate Factory, Friday 2 March – Saturday 21 April 
Theatre Royal Bath, Monday 23 – Saturday 28 April 

The Menier Chocolate Factory in conjunction with Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party starring Jill Halfpenny as Beverly and directed by Lindsay Posner. Previews begin at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 2 March with the Press Night on Thursday, 8 March at 8pm. Following its run at the Chocolate Factory it will play for one week at the Theatre Royal Bath.

Mike Leigh’s now classic play, which was written in 1977, is set in 1970’s suburbia, where Beverly and her husband Laurence are hosting a drinks party for their neighbours. There is plenty of alcohol, an array of cheese-pineapple savoury bites and olives, and Demis Roussos on the record player. As prejudices are unmasked and tempers flare, the evening can only end in disaster...

Mike Leigh is one of this country’s most noted writers and directors on stage and screen. His plays include Grief, 2000 Years and Ecstasy. His television plays include Nuts in May, The Short and Curlies and A Sense of History. He wrote and directed such films as Another Year, Happy-Go-Lucky and Topsy-Turvy, all of which received Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay; Secrets and Lies which received Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture; and Vera Drake, for which he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

Jill Halfpenny won a 2011 Olivier award for her role as Paulette in Legally Blonde (Savoy). Jill is also well known for her TV roles on EastEnders, Waterloo Road and Blue Murder.

Lindsay Posner directs fresh from a string of plaudits for his production of Noises Off at the Old Vic. Other recent West End productions include Butley (Duchess), An Ideal Husband (Vaudeville), A View from the Bridge (Duke of York’s – Olivier nomination) and Fiddler on the Roof (Savoy – Olivier nomination).

The set is designed by Mike Britton, whose recent work includes The Deep Blue Sea/ Nijinsky at the Chichester Festival Theatre and Much Ado About Nothing at the Globe.

Further casting to be announced.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Previews: Friday 2 – Wednesday 7 March: all seats £25 (meal deals £32.50)
Press Night: Thursday 8 March, 8pm
8 March – 21 April: £29.50 (concessions and group rate £27; meal deals £37)
A meal deal ticket includes a 2-course meal from the pre-theatre menu in the Menier Restaurant as well as the theatre ticket.

Performances: Tuesday - Saturday evenings, 8pm; Saturday and Sunday matinees, 3.30pm

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no matinee performances on Sunday 4 March or Sunday 11 March. There is an additional preview performance on Monday 5 March, 8pm

Box Office: 020 7378 1713; £2 transaction fee per booking
Website: www.menierchocolatefactory.com (£1 transaction fee per bkg)
Address: 53 Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU
Restaurant: 020 7 234 9610

Transport: London Bridge Tube, Borough High Street exit
 RV1 and 381 buses
 On street parking after 6.30pm and all day Saturday & Sunday

Show Website: www.menierchocolatefactory.com

THEATRE ROYAL BATH
Venue: Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET
Dates: Monday 23 – Saturday 28 April,

Box Office: 01225 448844
Tickets: £16.50 - £36.50







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