Abigail's Party

Adapted from the famous 1970s' domestic tragedy, Abigail's Party is a brave attempt by a young Glaswegian company to discover the universality inherent in Mike Leigh's notorious class satire. While the acting is solid, if a little stagey, The Patter Merchants really entertain by emphasising the comedy and, through Gill De Grote's overweening Beverly, identify the vicious misery that drives the characters towards a forced but fatal conclusion.

Throughout the play, the characterisation is deliberately under-developed, leaving the uncomfortable party-goers as figures of contempt rather than pity. Leigh's nuanced reading of class hierarchy is missed, but this allows the comedy to dominate. The final scene, starring a dead body and four broken lives, is greeted with hoots of laughter. Too little work on the context – possibly the consequence of the almost unimaginable gap between now and then – reduces the play to a series of sharp social mishaps.

Nevertheless, the effect is entertaining and hilarious. De Groote has a good bash at emulating Alison Steadman's iconic screen portrayal, and the broad humour hits its targets. The subtle power-plays are obvious and clear, and the running time does not drag.

While the play is beautifully written, it never quite achieves a modern resonance, so the decision to go for the gags is not in vain. The Patter Merchants can take considerable pride in the response of the audience and their own ability to find an accessible performance of a difficult, uncomfortable piece.