THIS week Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre is playing host to a wonderful touring production of “Abigail’s Party”, Mike Leigh’s famous play set in seventies suburbia, writes Times theatre critic Kerry Black.

Anyone of a certain age will remember the BBC’s brilliant Play for Today series which gave television audiences the chance to experience new plays. It is hard to believe that Abigail’s Party was first shown in 1977 as the themes of social climbing and one-upmanship are as relevant today.

The clever set design featured a harled wall and a large window, allowing the audience a peek into Beverley’s modern home, before rising up to reveal a pine clad extravaganza of swirly curtains (I am sure my granny had the very same pair!), teak furniture and the obligatory hi-fi and cheese plant!

The central role of Beverly, who is hosting a parry to meet her neighbours, was famously played by Alison Steadman on TV and here the supremely talented Jodie Prenger fills the stage as she floats about in her long flowing floral frock, passing round cheese and pineapple on sticks. The height of 70s sophistication! I previously saw Jodie in Shirley Valentine at The King’s and she is just as good in this part, as the pushy, pretentious hostess.

There are only five people in the play and each actor excelled in their roles. Daniel Casey played Laurence, Beverly’s workaholic estate agent husband, who measures his worth by his capacity to buy leather bound sets of Shakespeare, which he has never actually read. While Calum Callaghan played Angela (Vicky Binns) long haired husband, Rose Keegan played Sue, the mother of the unseen Abigail, who is holding a teenage party in the street. Sue in all her floral velvet splendour is obviously far posher than the rest of them and the way she uttered the single answer “Yes” was sheer acting genius.

Particular mention must go the costumes, especially Angela’s pink polyester dress which looked like it came straight from Grafton’s window and Tony’s pale blue pinstriped three piece suit-very Man at C&A!

Although the play has many hilarious moments, it is ultimately tinged with tragedy as Laurence collapses at the party.

If you want to relive the days of Demis Roussos' LPs, make sure to invite yourself along to Abigail’s Party at 7.30pm nightly until Saturday 22nd April plus matinees at Edinburgh King’s Theatre.