Jodie Prenger is bringing the party

Joining Jodie as Beverly are Vicky Binns as Angela, Calum Callaghan as Tony, Daniel Casey as Lawrence and Rose Keegan as Susan.

The action focuses on Beverly and her husband Laurence, who are throwing a party for their newly-wed neighbours, Tony and Angela. Joining them is highly strung Susan, who’s been banished from the party of her teenage daughter Abigail.

The show welcomes audiences to 1970’s suburbia and its heady mix of free-flowing cocktails, classic disco and cheese and pineapple sticks. As tensions rise and tempers flare the sheen of respectability is torn away by the warring couples with hilarious and potentially disastrous consequences.

Prenger is delighted to be taking the lead role.

“I’m absolutely loving every second of it,” she said. “It’s very much in the vein of how Mike Leigh works. He’s really involved in this production and that gives you a different insight into the character. It’s just so deliciously dark and funny. It’s what Mike Leigh does. It is so funny. The really awkward moments are ones that everyone will relate to. The dynamics of couples and relationships laid bare.”

Prenger got a good insight into all of the characters during rehearsals. “The director, Sarah, she is such a fabulous woman,” she said. “She’s got to be praised and worshipped: I love her. And the cast is absolutely amazing. You’ve got a woman who was a witch in Harry Potter (Rose Keegan) then another actor who people will know from Black Mirror and Mr Selfridge (Calum Callaghan). The actors are extraordinary. It’s great to be part of it.”

Abigail’s Party is one of Britain’s most celebrated comedies and was described by The Guardian as: “One of the greatest plays about the human condition ever written.”

For Jodie, the play continues her dramatic development, after shooting to national prominence by landing the role of Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s revival production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. She won BBC1’s I’d Do Anything to secure the role.

Prenger was a success and won the 2010 Whatsonstage Theatregoer’s Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She then went on to play The Lady of The Lake in the Spamalot UK tour and in the West End at the Playhouse Theatre, and Dolly in the National Theatre’s production of One Man Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

“I was always aware of Abigail’s Party. The beauty of the play is the cleverness of it all. Beverley is a brilliant character but the scary thing is I think there’s a bit of Beverley in us all. And it’s also so nostalgic. It’s set in 1977 but the dynamics of couples are so so prevalent that it’s just as applicable to today. That’s what makes it so relatable to people. It’s fun and nostalgic.”

Jodie took the role in a heartbeat after being offered it.

“When a project like this comes along, you can’t say no. I’m a big fan of comedy, that’s what made me want to be part of this. To be part of this it’s a no brainer. I think this is what I enjoy most. I feel it really challenges me. We all like a challenge. That’s what I get out of it. It’s like when I did Shirley Valentine and Fat Friends The Musical, it’s all about working on the rhythms of the script and making sure it’s funny.”

Prenger is a trouper who’s played Birmingham before and is looking forward to her return to the second city.

“Birmingham is great – we had a production meeting to talk about where we’re going and I was thrilled when Birmingham came up. Not all audiences are as good but Birmingham has a great crowd. Audiences do change the dynamic, so after saying that I hope they don’t let me down. I’ll be in the Bullring having a good little shop while I’m there and we always go to the Tepanyaki restaurant for some food.

“Touring is great fun. Being in the West End is totally different because I don’t get to go home after a show – the trains never match up. So I quite like touring because I get to see a lovely city and then go home after a show to see all of my animals.”

Prenger enjoys having a wide portfolio of shows to work on and hopes to continue mixing TV and theatre for many years to come.

“I think Nancy in I’d Do Anything was a total life spin. It really did change things. Then you get shows like One Man Two Guv’nors, which are also a total life spin, but for different reasons. Shirley Valentine was another game-changer that opened doors.

“It’s nice to always do something new but I never forget how lucky I am simply to be doing this for a living. I think you have to pick your projects, as much as you can, so you’re doing good quality work.

“You can do as many projects as you want until they come out of your ears and earn a quick buck but it’s good to find stuff that challenges you and that you gain so much from. Abigail’s Party fits into that project and I’m just mesmerised by it. You choose projects where you push yourself and this is one of them.”