Neil Speight reviews Thurrock Courts Players' latest production - Abigail's Party at the Thameside Theatre.

FANS of spy on the wall reality TV programs, human drama shows like Jerry Springer or Jeremy Kyle, or even the chatter-strewn Gogglebox, would do well to pop along to Thurrock's Thameside Theatre and catch the remaining two productions of Thurrock Courts Players' latest theatrical showcase Abigail's Party.

The near legendary play is almost a real life giant TV screen played out in front of a live audience.

Sadly, on opening night (Wednesday, 10 June) the audience wasn't large, but they were thoroughly entertained by the excellent performances of a cast of five. Mild titters became true belly laughs as we learned the nature and personality of the on-stage protagonists.

It was another near flawless production by Courts to add to their pantheon of award-winning works.

For those who don't know the plot of the play made famous by a 70s TV production, the show unveils the dramatic events of a suburban get-together featuring two couples and their older neighbour, whose eponymous teenage daughter Abigail is also holding a party on the same night. I'm not going to spoil the plot or the denouement, but it's a highly entertaining couple of hours of drama in real life - not a pixelated version

Once again, I have to highlight a triumph by Courts.

Like all good stories, it starts slowly and unfolds with increasing paranoia.

The three leading Ladies in the plot are all superb and the two 'supporting' husbands are not far behind.

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This truly is the sum of all its hard-working parts.

Credit is due to director George Andelon and all the backroom team at Courts Players, who once again produced a stage setting of note (another plaudit for set designer Vic Gray).

But it's the cast who truly take the eye and they really are excellent. In February this year Courts produced an unexpected gem in Steven Moffat's 'The Unfriend'. Playing the role of teenagers were Sophie Nash and Lilly Edmedes.

In this production they add on the years and are two neighbours who enjoy a party, a gossip and a bit of innuendo. They have aged very well.

Sophie plays the evening's host Beverley Moss and Lilly her neighbour Angela Cooper. They are a perfect foil of nice but bitchy friends.

Their guest (or should it be victim?) is older neighbour Sue, played by Jill Snelling. I could watch Jill all night, she really is a master of her craft. With just one facial expression she can tell a story all on its own. She is a real gem in the Courts' crown.

Max Faulkner plays Tony Cooper and Michael Southgate Beverley's beleaguered husband. Should Courts ever repeat one of their 'Dad's Army' shows, Max is a shoe-in for Private Walker. Both Tony and Michael carry off their roles with great aplomb.

If I have one criticism it's that the sound was a little low, but that may well be my own increasing deafness with the onset of old age! It would be a lovely gesture from Thurrock Council to fund an individual microphone system for the theatre's amateur users, but given recent history of council intent towards shutting down the theatre, that might be a plea too far.

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But thankfully we still have our community theatre and equally thankfully, a committed group of Am-Dram enthusiasts in Thurrock Courts Players to perform on it.

Next week it's over to TOPS and their musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

But in the interim you can still get tickets for Abigail's Party. Why not turn off your TV for the night and see drama in the flesh?

Thurrock Courts Players' next production in September will be The Ladykillers.