Last Updated on 14 February 2022 by Showcall Editorial Team
Full casting has been announced for a new production of Mike Leigh’s classic play, Abigail’s Party, at Watford Palace Theatre. Tickets are on sale now
Goldy Notay is to play Beverly as part of the cast announced for a new production of Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party at Watford Palace Theatre.
The Asian British-Canadian actor will take on the iconic 1970s role of the suburban hostess when the play runs from 10 March to 2 April 2022, with press night on 15 March.
Notay plays series regular Miriam Akhtar in Ackley Bridge on Channel 4 and was Bindu in ITV period drama Beecham House. She was also the lead in Gurinder Chadha’s film, It’s A Wonderful Afterlife.
She will be joined by Orlando Wells as Beverly’s husband, Laurence, Max Gell as Tony, Victoria Brazier as Angela and Tina Chiang as Susan.
The new production is being directed by Pravesh Kumar, artistic director of Rifco Theatre Company which was created to celebrate and reflect British South Asian experience. He was awarded an MBE for services to theatre in the Queen’s 2022 New Year’s honours. The show is designed by Rebecca Brower.
Kumar said: “I’m thrilled to be directing one of my favourite plays by Mike Leigh, who has inspired me and my work for so long. I wanted to bring a freshness to it by casting Goldy Notay as Beverly with a really representative cast, which in itself puts a new light on themes of class and race in the play.
“I think it is important to reimagine our classic works and make them even more accessible. I am excited to be directing for Watford Palace Theatre for the first time and open the doors to a whole new audience that may never have seen this wonderful comedy set in ruthless suburbia.”
The show is presented with a new complementary production by Watford Palace’s youth theatre groups, Abi’s House Party, which imagines what is going on next door at the infamous off-stage teenage house party of the original play’s title.
It is a devised piece made by members of the Palace Young Company, Palace Youth Theatre and Young Orbital groups. It will be presented for three performances on 6 and 7 April.
Tickets for Abigail’s Party and Abi’s House Party are on sale now
