Abigail’s Party - plus Gourmet Cinema Club

Join us for fabulous '70s Christmas themed launch of our Gourmet Cinema Club with aperitifs, canapes and retro buffet provided by our partners, Cheese on Sea.

Dress in your finest '70s threads, and expect a 'cheesy' evening of food and drinks, before watching the classic TV comedy by Mike Leigh.

Arguably the most famous edition of Play For Today, and one of the most beloved, as Mike Leigh directs a comedy of manners. Starring a young Alison Steadman, middle-class suburbia gets to reveal its darker side over the course of an increasingly uncomfortable drinks party.

Beverly wears low-cut dresses, too much make-up and has a reputation as a man-eating monster. In Mike Leigh's modern classic, Abigail's Party, she turns a social get-together between neighbours, married couples, into a virtual time bomb of emotional tension. The gathering starts off in a stiff, insensitive British middle class way with people who do not know each other, until Beverly and husband Lawrence start sniping at each other.

Alison Steadman won two best actress awards for her portrayal of the bored, bitchy hostess in this savagely funny study of pretentious middle-class social manners.

The screening will be accompanied by a retro buffet, a free drink, and cheese tasting presented by fine cheese purveyors, Cheese on Sea.

All tickets £20 with food and a drink included.

With thanks to the BFI National TV Archive.

How you can support the Electric Palace:

• Book a ticket to a screening.
• Become an official Friend of the Electric Palace
• Hire the cinema for a private party
• Buy a gift voucher
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• Play our piano before a screening and see the film for free!
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Thank you.