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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 Complete credited cast)
Alison Steadman ... Beverly
Tim Stern ... Laurence
Janine Duvitski ... Angela
John Salthouse ... Tony
Harriet Reynolds ... Susan
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Additional Details

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

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During the film, Angela mentions that Tony used to play, in the first team, for Crystal Palace when he was in his late teens. John Salthouse, who plays Tony, played for the same team, around the same time as Tony did. more
Quotes:
Beverly: Just because a picture happens to be erotic, does not make it pornographic. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
It's Not Unusual 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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