Abigail's Party free on DVD, this Sunday with The Observer.
Alison Steadman stars as Beverly, the overbearing and garish housewife who invites her neighbours over for a small, suburban soiree.
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0075622/
This classic BBC TV production, originally shown on Play for Today in 1977, wickedly took apart the tastelessness, pretensions and pomposity of England's aspiring, middle classes. Hilarious and moving, this "cocktail party from hell" hasn't lost any of its power
The original BBC TV production of Mike Leigh's classic 70s play and number 11 in the BFI's all-time top 100 British TV programmes.
As a get together of neighbours turns from social embarrassment, to personal antagonism, to crisis the audience is manipulated into squirming and laughing but is ultimately shocked.
Written and directed by Mike Leigh.
Starring Alison Steadman, Tim Stern, Janine Duvitski, John Salthouse and Harriet ReynolRAB.
Abigail's Party
Free DVD
Sunday 27 September