By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
The party has lasted 38 years and shows no signs of slackening, especially with one of Geelong’s favourites, Libby Tanner, at the helm.
Tanner stars in Abigail’s Party, the 1970s classic play of society and manners by director Mike Leigh that sold out in London’s West End and has graced professional and amateur stages ever since.
The play focuses on an evening of domestic hell in the guise of a suburban drinks soirée and as the alcohol flows tensions, both personal and societal, brutally emerge.
Reportedly one repertory society tried using real drinks instead of pretend alcohol and didn’t make it to the second act.
While teenager Abigail parties next door, the pretentious Beverly and her estate agent husband, Laurence entertain their neighbours – Abigail’s mother, Susan, ex-footballer, Tony, and his wife, Angela.
The hosts’ barely functional marriage along with their obsessions, prejudices and petty competitiveness are ruthlessly, and hilariously, exposed.
“We all adore black comedy and taking it to its extreme relationship,” Tanner said of the top-line cast.
“Audiences can utterly relate despite the shocks because they can recognise the behaviour.
“It goes off the charts with its comment on social structure and our materialistic world.”
Tanner said the play took on a development life of its own through rehearsals, with new wrinkles added even as late as this week.
Tanner is well-known from roles in Stingers, Police Rescue Special Ops and Fireflies and most recently in Nowhere Boys and Wentworth.
After moving to Geelong, Tanner rediscovered her passion for theatre and teamed up with Stephen Macklin to co-found the Geelong Production Company.
The two studied theatre together at Ballarat University, with Tanner working mostly in television and Macklin in and around the entertainment industry in Sydney.
They are joined by Richard Sutherland, Brad Beales, Rose Sejean and Kethly Hemsworth in this production.
Tanner says she hopes Abigail’s Party becomes a signature production for the company, taking it to various festivals and even to New York next year.
Abigail’s Party begins 8pm on 3 and 4 December at the Drysdale’s Potato Shed.
Tickets are available at City of Greater Geelong customer service centres.
