Form and Structure of ‘Abigail’s Party’ Emily Huntley Essay

microphone Leighs Abigails party was primarily shown on television and wasnt ab initio meant for the stage, until it was realised how successful it was.The plot is based well-nigh a mirror of dickens partys, ane involving 5 adults all living in the aforesaid(prenominal) estate nevertheless of very contrasting backgrounds and classes which mike Leigh likewise depicts, and the other of the sixteen year grey-haired daughter of treat, whos organised a representative teenage rave. The essence of the feed is that generally speaking the younger generations should be succeedd at parties scarcely in Mike Leighs precedent the irony is that the adults disciplinem well(p) as drunk and obscene as what is imagined attached door. This is where the comedy arises and is finded passim the bump as the adults keep a close eye on the teenagers but there is no one to observe the adults.Mike Leigh has also drawn the attention of the sense of hearing by focusing on class by contrastin g the classes of the characters, Beverly and Lawrence who argon aspiring for professedly fondness class, a poor newly married duette and a middle class divorcee. This situation in itself is contr everyplacesial due to Sue not macrocosm nearly as wealthy as Beverly and Lawrence but being by far the about genteel of the group. other example of this would be shown in Ang, her line of reasoning as a nurse butt really be called a well known and legitimate profession, although she has little money and isnt well courteous or travelled, as an outsider you can empathise the intelligence that Mike Leigh has tried to depict oer the other characters.The exercise is composed of two acts, both of which surprisingly end with the focus on Sue, the most timid character. I think this was purposeful on Leighs behalf as although she seems to be a pretty insignificant character she holds a lot of unappreciated power over the people in her company. in particular Lawrence who realises her class is above his and he aspires to be ilk her by seeking her approval.As the satisfy develops so does the amount of alcohol consumed and the tension mingled with the two married couples. Especially from Beverly and Lawrences points of view as they start verbally abusing each other in the presence of their guests, which I believe would not transcend otherwise as Ang, Tony and Sue would realise their true characters. on that pointfore I could also state that the play is structured around class, parties and also alcohol.Everything in the play including props, lightness and sound effects is ultra realistic. The install includes real food and drink with a working record player and lamps, which provide the naturalistic lighting throughout the whole play, and the constant clod from conterminous door really makes the situation believable.To enhance the realism, Mike Leigh also wrote the play in real m, this means that the duration of the play is natural over the period of an e vening, with no days or hours skipped.Another tool used by Mike Leigh to develop true realism is the use of colloquial dialect. There is no stylised or poetic language and also no imagery used. It is written so the reference can easily place themselves in the characters positions.Discussing the structure of the play is troublesome considering the definitions of A Well Made Play1.) rendering (introduction of characters and situations)2.) Conflict (a huge problem is bought to the surface)3.) Complications (the problem develops)4.) mop up (the most dramatic, and tension filled part of the play)5.) Dnouement (the resolution)The exposition occurs between pages 1 and 13 when the characters are introduced to each other and also the audience. This is the period when the audience makes their own assumptions of the characters, and they can recognise different consanguinitys and tensions. This is when we also realise about Lawrences hectic life-style and frequent suffering of totalburn so that his heart attack doesnt come as a complete shock and the audience understand and read to a greater extent.The conflict is primarily to do with Beverly and Lawrences relationship and the strain that it is all the way under. But we also see the stress between Angela and Tony periodically.The complication is when the tension builds as more and more alcohol is consumed predominantly between Lawrence and Beverly.The climax is clearly Lawrences heart attack, which is the outcome, of a stressful job, a nagging wife, being urbane to unwelcome guests the consumption of alcohol and the constant thumping of the party next door. This is when the focus and drive of the play changes completely from the future life these characters have construct themselves to the present situation.Lastly the dnouement. In Abigails troupe there doesnt seem to be a definite resolution, the play is odd on a cliff hanger as the audience is left in the dark as to whether the conflicts have been unflinc hing and if not the final outcome of the situation.Abigails fellowship is referred to as a comedy, but of various types, it contains a slight element of b deficiency comedy in the fact that Lawrence has a heart attack. But throughout the play, Leigh develops another form of comedy, not through one-liners, but due to the characters dialogue and movement and so on For example, Tonys monosyllabic answers, Angelas lack of social etiquette, Sues shyness and total dislike of the situation, Lawrences frequent cultural references even though everyone can see he is uneducated in Shakespeare and van Beethoven and is simply attempting and failing to reach a high social class (nouveaux riches). And Beverlys clear lack of self-control concerning Tony and insulting Angelas lipstick.Abigails Party is essentially written as a comedy, until the end, which presents more opportunities, and shows a more tragic and retrospective feel. This play is unique in that it is completely down to the theatre director as to how they depict it as it can be of two extremes tragic or comic, excluding Lawrences death, which is clearly comic with the reference to Angs cramp etc. In the production I saw, it was comic and I thought this worked well but having considered it to be a tragic play I think this could be just as effective.