PLAYING AT CURVE 13 –18 July 2026
- Kevin Bishop, Pandora Colin, Omar Malik and Lauren Patel join the previously announced Tamzin Outhwaite.
Tamzin Outhwaite stars as one of the most iconic characters in British theatre – the unforgettable Beverly – in Mike Leigh’s ferocious black comedy of suburban life in the 1970s, which comes to Curve Monday 13 – Saturday 18 July 2026.
Outhwaite is much-loved from her television roles including EASTENDERS, RED CAP, HOTEL BABYLON and NEW TRICKS. Her previous stage credits include BOEING, BOEING, HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES, STEPPING OUT, and THE HAUNTING OF ALICE BOWLES. She was a judge on the UK television programme DON’T STOP BELIEVING and in 2021 was unmasked as Scarecrow in the final of THE MASKED DANCER. Tamzin leads the cast in this revival of the Stratford East production, directed by Nadia Fall, which received stellar reviews during a sold-out run in 2024.
Comedian, actor and writer Kevin Bishop plays Laurence. Bishop is known for many roles in film and television including THE KEVIN BISHOP SHOW, (which he also co-wrote), MUPPET TREASURE ISLAND, the British Comedy Award winning STAR STORIESand the 2016 revival of PORRIDGE. On stage he had roles in West End productions of PETE AND DUD COME AGAIN, FAT PIG, AND LADY WINDERMERE’S FAN as well as FULLY COMMITTED (Menier Chocolate Factory), and ONCE IN A LIFETIME (Young Vic). He is also the voice of the fictional lead singer of British virtual band Gorillaz.
Pandora Colin plays Sue. National Theatre credits include BALLET SHOES, DEAR OCTOPUS,AFTERTHE DANCE, EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR, SOME TRACE OF HERandWOMEN OF TROY as well as COW/DEER (Royal Court), ANTIGONEand OUR TOWN (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and BACH AND SONS (The Bridge). Screen credits include THE DIPLOMAT, ERIC, ANDOR, FLATSHARE, MASTER OF NONE, CHERNOBYL, LINE OF DUTY, COUNT ARTHUR STRONG, PENNY DREADFUL, DELICIOUS, TOAST OF LONDON, BLACK BOOKS, EARWIG AND THE WITCH, THE LADY IN THE VAN, I GIVE IT A YEAR, AND RUN, FAT BOY AND RUN.
Omar Malik returns to Curve in the role of Tony. Theatre credits include A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM (Birmingham Rep), MARRIAGE MATERIAL (Lyric Hammersmith/Birmingham Rep), MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE (Leicester Curve/Leeds Playhouse) EAST IS EAST (Nottingham Playhouse/Northern Stage) and GANGSTA GRANNY UK Tour. Screen credits include TV credits include: THE TOWER, CORONATION STREET, HOLLYOAKS, NO OFFENCE, THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW, THE DUMPING GROUND, BEHIND THE FILTER, DOCTORS, HOUNSLOW DIARIES, CALL THE MIDWIFE, HOLBY CITY, MOVING ON, AND YOUNG DRACULA.
Lauren Patel plays Angela. Theatre credits include THE EMPRESS AND FALKLAND SOUND (RSC) and A CHRISTMAS CAROL(Bolton Octagon). Screen credits include WALLACE AND GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL, THE EFFECTS OF LYING, WHITE PUDDING SUPPER, EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE, SMALL PROPHETS, WATERLOO ROAD AND LLOYD OF THE FLIES.
Essex, 1977. Beverly is hosting, the alcohol is flowing, Demis Roussos is on the record player and the cheese and pineapple cocktail sticks are ready to go. Queen of the castle in her suburban semi, Beverly and husband Laurence welcome new neighbours Angela and Tony round for drinks. Sue from next door is invited too but the real party is happening back at her place, as Sue’s teenage daughter Abigail can’t seem to keep the racket down. Awkward small talk quickly descends into inappropriate flirtation and marital disputes: a soiree from hell, but it’d be rude to leave…
Abigails Party is written by Mike Leigh whose many accolades include prizes at the Cannes Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, and the Venice International Film Festival, three BAFTA Awards, and nominations for seven Academy Awards. Notable work includes TOPSY-TURVY, VERA DRAKE, HAPPY GO LUCKY, MR. TURNER, NAKED AND SECRETS AND LIES. He wrote and developed ABIGAIL’S PARTY through extended improvisations with the original cast, including Alison Steadman in a career launching role as Beverly. The play premiered at London’s Hampstead Theatre in 1977, before being recorded and televised on the BBC’s PLAY FOR TODAY. It has regularly been revived on stage in the decades since.
Director Nadia Fall is currently the Artistic Director of the Young Vic and was formerly Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East where her directorial credits include a hit revival of EQUUS, August Wilson’s KING HEDLEY II and NOYE’S FLUDDE in collaboration with the English National Opera, which won the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera. National Theatre credits include THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA and HOME. She also worked with London’s Hampstead Theatre and Bush Theatre, where she directed Taylor Mac’s HIR.
The world class creative team is completed by Set and Costume Designer Peter McKintosh, Lighting Designer Howard Harrison, Sound Designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, Movement Director James Cousin and Casting Director Amy Ball CDG.
ABIGAIL’S PARTY will run at Curve in Leicester from Monday 13 – Saturday 18 July 2026. Tickets are on sale now. To find out more and book, visit www.curveonline.co.uk, call 0116 242 3595 or visit Curve’s Box Office in-person
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About Curve
Curve is an award-winning producing theatre with a commitment to ensuring as many people as possible can access great art and culture. Each year, over two million people engage with Curve through performances in Leicester, across the UK and internationally. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Curve has developed an international reputation for producing, presenting and touring a bold and diverse slate of musicals, plays, new work, and dance, which sits alongside a vibrant community and learning programme.
Recent Made at Curve productions and co-productions include: BANK OF DAVE THE MUSICAL, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, KINKY BOOTS (London Coliseum, UK and Europe tour); INSIDE AMERICAN PIE; LEGALLY BLONDE (UK and Ireland tour); THE SOUND OF MUSIC; ALIENS LOVE PANTA CLAUS; WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF; LOST ATOMS (UK tour); A CHORUS LINE (Sadler’s Wells, UK and Japan tour); MURIEL’S WEDDING; SISTER ACT (Dominion Theatre, Eventim Apollo, UK, Ireland and Australian tours); MY FAIR LADY; PIRATES LOVE UNDERPANTS (UK tour); THE MOUNTAINTOP (UK tour); THE WIZARD OF OZ (London Palladium, UK and Ireland tour); MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE (UK tour); THE LION INSIDE (UK tour); COME FROM AWAY (UK tour); GREASE (Dominion Theatre and UK tour); EVITA; THE OWL WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS (UK tour); AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL (UK tour); 42ND STREET (Sadler’s Wells, UK tour and Toronto); WHITE CHRISTMAS (Dominion Theatre and UK tour); RIDE; BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL; BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL (UK tour); THE COLOR PURPLE (UK tour); CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (UK tour); METAMORPHOSIS (UK tour); SUNSET BOULEVARD (UK and Ireland tour); THE JUNGLE BOOK (UK and International tour); THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER; GIRAFFES CAN’T DANCE; WEST SIDE STORY; ON YOUR FEET! (London Coliseum and UK tour) and THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13¾ – THE MUSICAL (The Ambassadors Theatre). Streamed productions include THE COLOR PURPLE and SUNSET BOULEVARD.
Curve is supported using public funding by principal funder Arts Council England.