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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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Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   548 votes
Director:
Mike Leigh
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:
Drama | Romance more
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 brilliant, cringe-worthy glimpse into the reality of class and pride in 70s Surbiton. more

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 
 
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
Ron Bowman .... editor: video tape
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:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
UK:PG

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The cramp Angela is crippled by at the end of the play was originally genuine. During rehearsals for the stage play Janine Duvitski was suddenly struck down with cramp and doubled over, Mike Leigh ruthlessly cried "Keep Acting" and the whole thing ended up remaining in the stage and TV play. more
Quotes:
[Beverly is giving fashion advice to Angela]
Beverly: Now I can see what you've done, Ange - you've just sat down and put on your lipstick. Next time, will you try this for me? Just sit down, relax, and say to yourself "I have very beautiful lips" and I tell you, Ange, you're gonna see the difference! All right?!
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Movie Connections:
Featured in All About 'Abigail's Party' (2007) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
It's Not Unusual more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
5 out of 7 people found the following comment useful:-
A brilliant, cringe-worthy glimpse into the reality of class and pride in 70s Surbiton., 15 March 2005
9/10
Author: aliciaecm from London, England

Originally a play, but masterfully adapted into a television drama, Mike Leigh successfully creates a truthful, yet hilarious, look into the assumed manners and desperate ambition of the 'lower middle class' of 1970s south London.

The characters are memorable and appallingly dressed in the fashions of the era, which makes it even funnier to a modern day audience to look back on. The disgusting confidence of 'Bev' and her pathetic side-kick, 'Ange', contrast brilliantly with their ultra-bland husbands and the slightly higher-class Sue, the only character you actually develop any sympathy for.

This play/film is aimed at British audiences, and would probably totally fail to amuse anyone else, if not purely for the individual nature of our class-obsessed middle class then for its almost unique ability to be funny without resorting to slapstick or crude one-liners so often relied upon in American 'comedy'.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Play for Today" (1970)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The Candelabra adriancollins
Favourite Quotes susieq19
BEVERLY MKHDP
Piece of music Bon_Jovi_chick
cramp kathmaxwell828586
That piece of music simoncatweazle
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Related Links

Main series Episode guide Full cast and crew
Company credits External reviews IMDb TV section
IMDb Drama section IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

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