INFAMOUS party-giver Abigail, who recently returned to the small screen for one night, will be throwing live parties on stage in Northwood for three nights next week.

Oaklands Drama has issued an invitation to Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party at Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, December 17, 18 and 20, at 8pm prompt.

This will be a rather special party as director Neville Price explains: "When Mike Leigh develops a script, he gets his actors together well beforehand so they become the characters they end up playing.

"We started from the script, but did extensive improvisations to get inside the characters' skins. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the actors are acting or just being themselves."

Suburbanites Laurence and Beverly are entertaining their new neighbours, Angela and Tony. Goodwill and small talk abound, but the sense of growing matrimonial strain between Lawrence and Beverly and the supreme tactlessness of various remarks between Beverly and Angela generate a rising tension - which finally snaps.

Tickets cost £6 and can be booked by phoning 0181-950 8205.

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