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

microphone Leighs Abigails fellowship was primarily shown on television and wasnt initially meant for the stage, until it was realised how in(predicate) it was.The plot is based virtually a mirror of two companys, one involving 5 adults all living in the same domain but of very contrasting backgrounds and word formes which Mike Leigh in addition depicts, and the other of the sixteen year old daughter of Sue, whos organised a representative teenage rave. The essence of the profligacy is that generally speaking the jr. generations should be observed at parties but in Mike Leighs example the irony is that the adults get outm just as drunk and obscene as what is imagined next door. This is where the comedy arises and is developed passim the play as the adults keep a close eye on the teenagers but in that location is no one to observe the adults.Mike Leigh has also drawn the attention of the reference by localiseing on syndicate by contrasting the classes of the characters, Beverly and Lawrence who are aspiring for current middle class, a poor newly married couple and a middle class divorcee. This situation in itself is controversial due to Sue not existence nearly as wealthy as Beverly and Lawrence but being by far the most cultured of the group. Another example of this would be shown in Ang, her occupation as a nurse buttocks actually be called a well known and accepted profession, although she has little money and isnt well cultured or travelled, as an outsider you can charm the intelligence that Mike Leigh has tried to depict over the other characters.The play 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 unknown power over the people in her company. in particular Lawrence who realises her class is above his and he aspires to be like her by seek her approval.As the play 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 lift off verbally abusing each other in the presence of their guests, which I cerebrate would not occur otherwise as Ang, Tony and Sue would realise their true(p) characters. Therefore I could also state that the play is structured around class, parties and also alcohol.Everything in the play including props, lighting and sound effects is immoderate realistic. The set includes real food and drink with a working express player and lamps, which provide the naturalistic lighting throughout the whole play, and the unvarying thumping from next door really makes the situation believable.To enhance the realism, Mike Leigh also wrote the play in real time, this means that the era of the play is natural over the period of an evening, with no days or hours skipped.Another tool used by Mike Leigh to develop true re alism is the use of colloquial dialect. There is no stylised or poetic language and also no imagery used. It is written so the audience can easily place themselves in the characters positions.Discussing the structure of the play is hard considering the definitions of A Well Made process1.) Exposition (introduction of characters and situations)2.) Conflict (a huge problem is bought to the surface)3.) Complications (the problem develops)4.) Climax (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 relationships and tensions. This is when we also realise around Lawrences hectic lifestyle and frequent suffering of middleburn so that his heart attack doesnt come as a acquit shock and the audience understand and sympathi se more(prenominal).The conflict is primarily to do with Beverly and Lawrences relationship and the strain that it is give the axely 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 military issue, of a stressful job, a nagging wife, being polite to uninvited 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 built themselves to the present situation.Lastly the dnouement. In Abigails Party there doesnt seem to be a definite resolution, the play is left(a) on a cliff hanger as the audience is left in the dark as to whether the conflicts have been resolved and if not the final outcome of the situation.Abigails Party is referred to as a come dy, but of various types, it contains a slight element of black 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 etc. For example, Tonys monosyllabic answers, Angelas lack of social etiquette, Sues shyness and marrow dislike of the situation, Lawrences frequent cultural references even though everyone can see he is uneducated in Shakespeare and Beethoven and is simply attempting and failing to reach a higher social class (nouveaux riches). And Beverlys clear lack of self-control concerning Tony and insulting Angelas lipstick.Abigails Party is fundamentally written as a comedy, until the end, which presents more opportunities, and shows a more sad 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 tragical or comic, excluding Lawrences death, which is clearly comic with the reference to Angs throttle etc. In the production I saw, it was comic and I sentiment this worked well but having considered it to be a tragic play I think this could be just as effective.