Mike Leigh's classic stage play, Abigail's Party, is back, revealing the hilarious antics of Beverly as she puts her guests through an evening of angst, humiliation and cheesy nibbles.
The play has achieved cult status since it was first screened in 1977 and was voted No. 11 in the British Film Institute's All-Time Top 100 British TV Programmes.
What starts off as a get-together of neighbours quickly turns into an awkward evening of tactless remarks and growing marital strain, as overbearing and garish hostess Beverly plies her guests with cigarettes, alcohol and nibbles (including the now infamous 'cheesy-pineapple ones').
Now the Stewarton Drama Group has recreated this classic, with opening night last night and shows tonight and tomorrow.
Beverly will be played by Laura McPherson.
She said: "Beverly is a great character to play in the theatre – she is such an iconic character and there is lots of fun to be had because she is such an over the top person.
"She has been described by critics as quite monstrous and, having got into the play, I can totally appreciate why that is.
"She behaves horrendously towards her husband, flirting with another man in his presence, and almost bullying the quieter guest Susan.
"It is lots of fun and drama and she is dressed glamorously and over the top."
Members of the drama group had wanted to put on the production for a number of years, but had to wait until they were granted an amateur licence.
They have gone all out to make sure the set, props, costumes and even the hairdos are all authentic 70s.
Kilmaurs-based Cameron Hair And Beauty were only too happy to show the three female cast members – Morag Smith, Suzie MacLeod and Laura – the authentic 1970s hairstyles for the show.
Linda Wilson, who is president of the drama group, said: "The hairstyles are so important in Abigail's Party.
"But the end results were just fantastic – the girls in our cast were transformed into true 70s style in less than an hour."
Morag, a student nurse who will qualify in February next year, plays ditzy, naive nurse Angela.
"It has been good fun and the characters of Beverly and Angela are very different.
"Angela is in a horrible relationship and there are many people like that. She must know it is not a good relationship because he is quite nasty, but she is just tying to make the best of it.
"I am excited but also nervous. It is quite a wordy play and I don't leave stage, I am on show the whole time. It's my first time doing a full length play so I am looking forward to it."
Laura is sure the audiences will enjoy the production and its many themes of failed relationships, career stress and annoying teenagers playing their music too loud.
"As a theatre group it is a challenging play to do, but it is also exciting.
"Although there is a lot of humour in it, it is quite a dark black comedy and there is the very tragic ending.
"At its heart it is about relationships – neither of the two couples in the play are happy. The themes and status in relationships will still apply today."
Director John Allardice also has a role, playing Angela's miserable IT analyst husband Tony.
He said: "More than 30 years after it was first broadcast on television, it is still hard to think of another play that offers such a relentlessly uncomfortable, yet hilarious, take on strained relationships and awkward social situations.
"Abigail's Party has become something of a theatrical phenomenon. It is a beautifully-observed period piece, combining comedy, drama and tragedy – all the ingredients of an iconic piece of theatre."
n Abigail's Party, Stewarton Area Centre, 7.30pm tonight and tomorrow. Tickets, £7, from Stewarton Library, Candy Chace in the town's High Street, and at the door.
