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The Broadway Bomb: 200 skateboarders have a death wish on Saturday
Published on 10/10/08
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Abigail's Party was a hit for Mike Leigh nearly 30 years ago, especially after its well-received broadcast on the BBC. This New Group production retains the total '70s look—from the disco party music to the flashy, clashing clothing and decor—but the British class discomfort Leigh dissects feels timely as ever. It's also worth noting that Abigail's Party offers irrefutable proof that neither Larry David nor Ricky Gervais pioneered "cringe comedy." During the course of an increasingly dreadful party thrown by the pushy vulgarian Beverly (Leigh), there are titter-worthy pauses and grotesque social gaffes worthy of Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office.
Much has been written about Leigh's collaborative way of generating scripts through improvisation with his actors, both in plays and in films such as Vera Drake and Naked. This method creates a spontaneous, lived-in quality, but it would seem to make reviving the stage works—especially without the original performers—an unusual challenge. Luckily, Scott Elliot, who has staged three Leigh debuts here, has a top-shelf cast at his disposal. In addition to the delicious, prickly Jennifer Jason Leigh, there is invaluable work by Max Baker as her browbeaten, snobby husband; Darren Goldstein and Elizabeth Jasicki as a socially maladroit couple with rage issues; and the ever-brilliant Lisa Emery as a miserable divorced mother. From the audience's standpoint, everyone seems to be having a horrible time, but these characters actually know how to throw quite a bash.
—David Cote
