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IMDb > "Play for Today" Abigail's Party (1977)
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"Play for Today" Abigail's Party (1977)


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IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   592 votes
Director:
Writer:
Mike Leigh (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Abigail's Party on IMDbPro.
Original Air Date:
1 November 1977 (Season 8, Episode 3)
Genre:
Plot:
A TV play based on the Hampstead Theatre production. Beverly has invited her new neighbours, Angela and Tony... more | add synopsis
User Comments:
A British TV Gem more (22 total)

Cast

 (Episode Cast) (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)
Alison Steadman ... Beverly
Tim Stern ... Laurence
Janine Duvitski ... Angela
John Salthouse ... Tony
Harriet Reynolds ... Susan
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Episode Crew
Directed by
Mike Leigh 
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
Mike Leigh  writer

Produced by
Margaret Matheson .... producer
 
Film Editing by
Ron Bowman (editor: video tape)
 
Production Design by
Kenneth Sharp 
 
Makeup Department
Toni Chapman .... makeup artist
 
Sound Department
Derek Miller-Timmins .... sound
 
Camera and Electrical Department
David Mutton .... senior camera operator
John Treays .... lighting technician
 
Editorial Department
Graham Giles .... vision mixer
 
Other crew
Maurice Abel .... production unit manager
Anne Locke .... production assistant
 
Crew believed to be complete


Production Companies
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Additional Details

Runtime:
102 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When Beverly puts on a record of "Love to Love You, Baby", it is not Donna Summer singing. Her version of the song had been banned by the BBC because it featured "orgasmic moans". Instead the play used a cover version by Clare Torry. more
Quotes:
Beverly: Don't get me wrong - I do love Laurence - he's very good with money. He takes me shopping, I bung it in the wheelie, he writes a cheque and it's done for the week - know what I mean? more
Movie Connections:
Featured in All About 'Abigail's Party' (2007) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Love to Love You, Baby more

FAQ

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11 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
A British TV Gem, 27 February 2000
Author: Colin Wilson from Seattle, USA

I saw this first time round, and it's a once seen/never forgotten experience. Yes, THAT good. The TV version has the feel of the stage play it was, with all the action taking place in the living room of the obnoxious Beverly and her equally obnoxious husband.

In the first few seconds, Beverly, expecting the arrival of her guests, puts on the Donna Summer record Love To Love You Baby (which SHE likes, to hell with what the guests might like). Only it isn't Donna Summer, but one of those cheap 49 pence Woolworth cover version albums so prevalent in the seventies. Immediately, the mood is set.

The amazing thing about this play is that one feels throughout that one is intruding on what one should not be seeing. There is definitely that fly on the wall feel, but just try and look away. This is compelling viewing, no matter how far your eyes widen - and they will - as things progress. Even the more subtle touches (such as Angie's tight necklace, with the heart pendant that bobs up and down as she speaks) add light humor to the pervasive dark humor. There are too many classic moments in this one-off to even list, that good it is. This is a British TV gem.

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