Former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite is starring as Beverly in the hit play Abigail's Party, currently running at the Harold Printer Theatre in the London suburb of Stratford. The 55-year-old actress dons a flowing yellow sparkly gown for the role, complete with rhinestones, and wears a string of jewellery including necklaces, bangles and watches.
70s Setting and Cast
The show recreates the 1970s, with a set resembling a typical British house, complete with floral wallpaper. Actors wear oversized collar shirts, long flowy dresses and high platform heels. Abigail's Party is set in Essex in 1977, at a time of social unrest and low wages. Beverly, played by Tamzin, puts on a lavish get-together to lift everyone's spirits.
With drinks flowing and plenty of food on offer, Beverly and her husband Laurence, played by Kevin Bishop, welcome new neighbours Angela and Tony. Tony, played by former Hollyoaks star Omar Malik, makes himself at home quickly. Next-door neighbour Sue is also invited, but the real party is at her house, as daughter Abigail throws her own party, leading to tension.
Cast and Critical Praise
Pandora Colin, known for The Lady in the Van and Run Fatboy Run, plays Sue. Lauren Patel, who stars as Jas in Waterloo Road, joins as Tony's wife Angela, who appears nervous, clinging to her glass of water. Omar Malik wears a typical 70s suit with a wide-collared shirt and brown suede shoes, with permed curly hair. Kevin Bishop sports an iconic seventies-style moustache and a grey suit with flared trousers.
Critics have praised the production, with TimeOut magazine describing Tamzin's portrayal as "wickedly calculating", deliberately bringing her guests down to make herself "feel better about her rut of a life". The review adds: "Tamzin Outhwaite is superb casting as Beverly, the nightmarish hostess of a suburban dinner party on the ‘London side of Essex’." It notes that the cast's delivery of lines makes the jokes funnier, including the growing tension between actors.
Run and Tickets
The current version of Abigail's Party is set to run for another month, with the final show on September 19. Tickets are on sale from £20.
