His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, in his capacity as President of The Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST), attended the opening of a sparkling new production of Mike Leigh’s cult-classic comedy, Abigail’s Party, at Northern Stage on Wednesday.
The Duke is passionate about the arts and a supporter of organisations that enable young people to develop their skills through theatre and music. The RTST is a charity focused on supporting up-and-coming directors and British regional theatres – primarily through its prestigious annual RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award . The Duke’s other patronages include the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and Northern Ballet.
The production of Abigail’s Party is supported by a grant from the RTST and is directed by the winner of the 2023 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award, Jack Bradfield, who brings a fresh new perspective to Leigh’s ground-breaking play which garnered cult status following the 1977 BBC TV Play for Today starring Alison Steadman.
RTST Chairman, Sir Geoffrey Cass said,
On behalf of The Royal Theatrical Support Trust and our 2023 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award partner, Northern Stage – and its co-producers Rose Theatre, Mercury Theatre and ETT – I wish to express enormous gratitude to our RTST President, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, for the honour and pleasure of his attendance at the opening night at Northern Stage, Newcastle of ‘Abigail’s Party’ directed by our 2023 Award-winner, Jack Bradfield. On a personal note, I am deeply appreciative of His Royal Highness’s support for British theatre which I have witnessed over many years. His active interest in the work of the RTST is helping us to make a significant difference. ”
RTST Director Mark Hawes said,
Jack Bradfield directs Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh as a result of winning our RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award – one of the country’s most prestigious and hotly contested annual awards for directors. The Award has a nine-year track-record of identifying and promoting the careers of brilliant up-and-coming directors, like Jack; of opening doors to opportunities – not just for the winner; and of catalysing productions that otherwise might never have come to be. We’re delighted to be supporting this production and to have facilitated Jack’s advancement to directing on some of the country’s main stages – Northern Stage; Blackpool Grand; Mercury Theatre, Colchester; and Rose Theatre, Kingston. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh’s attendance at the opening night is a wonderful endorsement of the Award and of the importance to our culture of supporting the country’s regional theatres and rising artistic talent. ”
Northern Stage Artistic Director, Natalie Ibu, chaired a panel of industry experts to select the winner of this year’s RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award. She said,
Here at Northern Stage and indeed all our co-producers, we are committed to supporting the development of the next generation of inspiring, ambitious and skilled theatre artists to make work on stages across the country, so we’re thrilled to work with the Royal Theatrical Support Trust to premiere this new production in Newcastle. Mike Leigh’s iconic comedy rightly deserves its cult status. Jack’s vision brings it to life for audiences in 2024 with wit, humour and a sprinkle of psychological drama – it will be spectacular. Audiences are in for a real treat.”
Abigail’s Party is a Northern Stage, Rose Theatre, Mercury Theatre and ETT co-production, and is supported by a grant from the Royal Theatrical Support Trust. Abigail’s Party is at Northern Stage, Newcastle until 28 September then touring to Mercury Theatre Colchester (2-12 October), Blackpool Grand (22-26 October) and Rose Theatre (5-16 November).
