Abigail's Party and Balletboyz just announced at Theatre Royal Bath

Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents the Stratford East production of Abigail’s Party, Mike Leigh’s ferocious black comedy of suburban life in the 1970s. Tamzin Outhwaite stars as one of the most iconic characters in British theatre – the unforgettable Beverly – and the play launches a UK tour from June 2026. Directed by Nadia Fall, the production which will begin its tour in Malvern, will appear at Bath’s Theatre Royal from Monday 22 to Saturday 27 June, before visiting Fareham, Brighton, Leicester, Richmond and Cambridge.

Much-loved from her television roles including EastEnders, Red Cap, Hotel Babylon and New Tricks, Tamzin Outhwaite leads the cast in this revival, which received stellar reviews during a sold-out run in 2024.

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… 

Mike Leigh’s razor-sharp portrait of social class, materialism and sexual tension in 1970s England is an unmissable modern classic. Developed through extended improvisations with the original cast, including Alison Steadman in a career launching role as Beverly, Abigail’s Party 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.  

BalletBoyz are set to mark 25 years on stage and screen with a major new UK tour, BalletBoys at 25: Still Pointless. 25 years after Michael Nunn and William Trevitt’s critically acclaimed debut performance Pointless at the Roundhouse, the pioneering dance company will return to the stage as they lead audiences on a retrospective journey celebrating a quarter of a century. With signature irreverence the show will include a live dance documentary fusing live performance with film, appearing at Bath’s Theatre Royal on Sunday 31 May for one night only.

Artistic Directors and BalletBoyz founders Michael Nunn and William Trevitt said: “Here are some of our favourite thought-provoking, ambitious, and entertaining BalletBoyz moments to celebrate a quarter of a century since we first started (which makes us sound far too old)! 25 years on we are still relentlessly referred to as ‘the boyz’ even well into our 50s, and we still relentlessly pursue new collaborations, new opportunities, and new ways of producing, presenting, and sharing exciting and moving works of art. Still Pointless showcases some of our greatest achievements, and highlights the values with which we approach the next decades of creating.”

The evening will feature excerpts of work from the Company’s history, from choreographers including Christopher Wheeldon, Maxine Doyle, Liam Scarlett, Xie Xin, and Javier de Frutos, and composers Cassie Kinoshi, Keaton Henson, and Max Richter.

A Company of 10 world-class dancers, some new to the Company and some returning, includes Joshua Attwood, Dan Baines, Paris Fitzpatrick, Seirian Griffiths, JJ James, Dylan Jones, Benji Knapper, Luigi Nardone, Yasset Roldan, and Kai Tomioka.