Jack Bradfield, winner of the 2023 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director’sAward, will direct Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party

A sparkling new production of Mike Leigh’s cult-classic comedy, Abigail’s Party, will premiere at Northern
Stage (13 – 28 September) ahead of a national tour.

The show will be the mid-scale debut for director Jack Bradfield, winner of the 2023 RTST Sir Peter Hall
Director Award. Jack’s new production promises a fresh version of this classic text which garnered cult-like
status following the 1977 Play for Today televised version starring Alison Steadman.

Jack is an award-winning playwright and director, currently Associate Director on Player Kings in the West
End and has worked as an Assistant Director with the ITA-Ensemble in Amsterdam, The Old Vic, London, and on major productions in New York City. He is Artistic Director of Poltergeist (“One of the UK’s Best Young Companies” – Guardian).

This will be the party to end all parties and you’re all invited! The show transports us to 1977 where, self appointed queen of suburbia Beverly is hosting a cocktail party for her neighbours. Next door, 15-year-old Abigail is throwing a party of her own. No one can stop talking about Abigail’s party. Something must be done about Abigail’s party.

Jack said: “I’m thrilled to be reviving Abigail’s Party, Mike Leigh’s razor-sharp, savage, suburban comedy. At Northern Stage and on tour, we’re going to light a fire under this classic and bring it bright and burning into 2024.

Natalie Ibu, Artistic Director Northern Stage said: “Mike Leigh’s iconic comedy rightly deserves its cult status.

Jack’s vision brings it to life for audiences in 2024 with wit, humour and sprinkle of psychological drama – it will be spectacular. Jack is so committed to putting audiences at the centre of his work that people across the UK are in for a real treat.”

Abigail’s Party is a co-production between Northern Stage, Rose Theatre, Colchester Mercury Theatre and
ETT and is supported by a grant from the Royal Theatrical Support Trust. Abigail’s Party will open at
Northern Stage, Newcastle before touring to Mercury Theatre Colchester, Rose Theatre Kingston with more venues to be announced.

For more information or to book tickets visit northernstage.co.uk
Tickets will go on sale to members from Fri 29 March and on general sale from Tues 4 April