This Friday and Saturday 1st and 2nd February at 8pm, the London Classic Theatre Company present Mike Leigh's entertaining black comedy 'Abigail's Party'. A big hit when it first hit the London stage, the play has now taken on a life of its own and recognised as a cult classic. Pale imitations aside, it is still hard to think of another play that offers such a relentlessly uncomfortable and yet hilarious take on strained relationships and awkward social situations. Three decades on, this comedy of bad manners is hard to beat.
Beverly and her husband Laurence have decided to throw a drinks party for some new neighbours who have moved into the area. The guests, Angela, her husband Tony and Sue, a divorcee whose daughter, Abigail, is having a rowdy party nearby, are subjected to Beverly's desire to be the exemplary hostess as she plies them with drink and nibbles. However, as the party is in full flow, the strained marital relationship of Beverly and Laurence is self evident and awkward silences and arguments about music and Art develop as they start to use their guests as weapons in their attempts to humiliate each other.
Through all of this however, there are hugely comic moments as this achingly funny examination of suburban life reflects the real life behaviour of many aspiring couples in mid 1970's suburbia.
INTERNATIONAL BALLADEERS
It's 30 years since the Fury Brothers and Davey Arthur burst onto the scene and this year they are touring all over the world to celebrate. Ardhowen Theatre is once again pleased to welcome them back for a concert on Thursday 7th February as part of that tour, which after Ardhowen takes them throughout Europe and then to Australia, New Zealand, the U.S.A. and Canada. Responsible for some of the most stirring music ever to capture the public imagination, their hits include 'When You Were Sweet 16', 'Red Rose Cafe', 'The Green Fields of France', 'The Old Man', 'Steal Away', 'Clare to Here', 'Leaving Nancy' etc. etc. Why not come to the theatre and celebrate with them. The performance is at 8pm.
'FLEETWOOD MAC' CONCERT
One of the most popular bands to play in the Ardhowen Theatre in recent times is the excellent 'Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac' who return to the scene of their 2006 triumph on Saturday 9th February at 8pm. This amazingly authentic re-creation of the music and sound of the legendary Fleetwood Mac, so impressed Mick Fleetwood himself that not only has he gone on stage and played with them but he has given them his golden seal of approval, as they tour all over the world.
Formed in New York City in 1997, they played their first gig for record producer and personal friend Brian Rawling who was involved with Cher's hit 'Do You Believe' and Ricky Martin's 'Private Emotion'. Since then the band's reputation and popularity has soared beyond all recognition. The band perform all the classic hits of what could arguably be called the world's first supergroup.
From their inception in 1967 with Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood through to the critically acclaimed 'Rumours' era in the 1970's with Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham and their continued success in the eighties and nineties, all the hits are there. Hear the blues and rock classics 'Need Your Love So Bad', 'Albatross' and 'Black Magic Woman' as well as the harmonic rhythms of hits such as 'Dreams', 'You Make Loving Fun' and 'Go Your Own Way'. It will be a great night of nostalgia with a band renowned for its wonderful instrumentation and tight harmonies. Don't miss it.
ANNUAL PRODUCTION
Enniskillen Amateur Dramatic Society serve up their annual helping of drama on 14th, 15th and 16th February when they present Alan Ayckbourn's comedy 'Confusions'. Written as a series of linked playlets within a play 'Confusions' offers the audience the chance to laugh at the differing characters and the familiar situations that we all come across. However, we cannot I'm sure help but think how we ourselves might re-act in similar circumstances and whether we are as confused in our various relationships as Alan Ayckbourn's characters are in theirs.
The first piece 'Mother Figure' is based in a household where Mother, Lucy treats everyone like children, including the neighbours as she tries to overcome the problems of her humdrum world. 'Between Mouthfuls', the second of the three pieces, picks on the theme of two feuding couples sitting a table apart in a smart restaurant and the realisation of both, of the unwelcome common bond between them. The clever interplay of conversation coming from each of the tables and the waiter's insistence on correct pronunciation all adds to the comedy.
The final piece is entitled 'Gosforth's Fete'. It starts off as a drama, develops into chaos, as everything goes wrong and climaxes as full blown farce, amid classic Ayckbourn hilarity. On stage for E.A.D.S will be a core of experienced players but with some new blood being introduced as well. It should be a very entertaining production.
