Copenhagen Theatre Circle performs Abigail's Party by Mike Leigh
at Krudttønden Theatre, 18-28 May 2005

Auditions have taken place and our Director, Christina Hildebrandt, has selected the following cast:

Beverly : Sue Hansen-Styles 
Laurence: Frank Theakston
Angela: Sabine Paulsen
Tony: Hans Christian Hasemann
Susan: Marianne Wiin Blegaa

Rehearsals will begin at the end of March. In the mean time, anyone interested in helping with the technical side of the production should contact our Stage Manager, Tina Juul, on chynatj@yahoo.com.

The story

Beverly likes the good life and will seemingly put up with a husband whom she doesn't love in order to live it. Husband Laurence is a stressed, workaholic estate agent who is incapable of relaxing in his wife's company. They seem to love baiting one another and are happy to use their guests as weapons in their attempts to humiliate each other. The poor victims are the new neighbours, bubbly Angela and her taciturn husband Tony, who will never use three words where none will do. The last visitor is Susan, a timid divorcee and mother of 15-year-old Abigail, who is throwing her first party at home that night. Susan is also uncomfortable and preoccupied with what's going on at her own house, and allows Beverly to goad her into drinking too much. The tension between Beverly and Laurence grows. As she taunts and belittles him, he objects to nearly everything she says and does, and the evening heads towards inevitable disaster.

The author

Mike Leigh is a provocative and highly original writer and director whose kitchen sink dramas capture working class English life better than anyone of his generation. Leigh develops a script by collaborating with his actors in an improvisational atmosphere before setting the dialogue. He is probably best known (and certainly in Denmark) for his films, among which are Secrets and Lies and of course his latest success, Vera Drake.

Venue: Krudttønden, Serridslevvej 2B, Østerbro (Kraks Kort 138 E5)

Dates: 18-21 and 23-28 May 2005 at 8 p.m.

Ticket price: Dkr. 90 (Dkr. 70 for students under 18, pensioners and groups of 10 or more)

Ticket sales:  Tel.: 3976 3680
                     E-mail: frank.theakston@get2net.dk
                     On-line at: www.ctcircle.org