Abigail's party - what did Tony do?

[Oula]

I watched this again last night. I remember the first time I watched it I was sure that it was being heavily hinted at that Tony did something to Abigail at her party. Something inappropriate and sexual. I still felt this when I re-watched it last night. However, that doesn't seem to be mentioned in other things I've read about it. The most I had seen suggested was that Tony and Lawrence had a fight.

Does anyone else get the same vibe as me, or is this all in my head?

 

[Celyn]

I didn't watch all of it last night, but I had watched it recently. I think there's a bit where Lawrence and Tony go to check up on the party, then Lawrence returns but Tony is somehow delayed. Tony soon arrives appearing a bit untidy, with his shirt wet.

But I don't know whether he tried anything with Abigail or anyone else and got drinks thrown over him, or perhaps the party kids just chucked liquid over him in annoyance at being checked up upon. I'm *fairly* sure it is not made clear, but not 100%.

Hmm. The whole thing is on YouTube, and I'm sure I only know this because some clever person here on Urban posted a link very recently. Thanks to the Unknown Poster.

 

[hash tag]

I am sure the two things are unconnected but beverly was clearly pregnant, really. Honest.

 

[Celyn]

I've just thought - wouldn't it be fun to follow what happens AFTER the end of the play? What's the chances that Beverly quickly gets right back to trying to snog Tony?

I have often wondered why "Ange" is so stupefyingly dim most of the time. I mean, it must take a reasonably bit of intelligence to be a nurse? Of course, that was when there was this SEN/SRN thingy, I suppose. Or is she genuinely cretinous socially but only OK when doing her job? Then again, Tony seems to despise her somewhat, so I suppose this dimwit social persona might be a result of that?

Having not seen it for - lo, these many years - I had the vague notion that I had thought Sue to be the most sympathetic character in the whole thing. However, she's pretty terrible too. She contributes very little to any conversation, and OK, all the conversation is vile, but on arriving and meeting Ange who is, after all, a new neighbour of a sort, she merely says things like "Oh, really", instead of " and how are you settling in? Moving house is always such a muddle, isn't it? Or even "Oh, it's nice to meet new neighbours - I hope you will be happy here". Just anything that was more than "oh, really".

 

[Celyn]

Here's the bit where Tony does a party mystery. Annoyingly, it doesn't tell us who is speaking, but it's pretty obvious anyway.

Everything all right down there?
- I think so.
- How many's at the party, then?
- I didn't stop to count them!
This is my glass.
- It's all right, is it?
- Yes!
Oh, I'm sorry, Sue. Yes.
Yes, I went in and had a few words with them.
Everything seems to be all right.
Where's Tony got to?
You'd better ask him when he gets back.
- Did you see Abigail?
- I certainly did.
- Is she all right?
- I think so.
- Where is he?
- I don't know. I'm not his keeper!
- Did you talk to her?
- I asked her to turn the music down, yes.
- He's stayed at the party!
- Was she upset?
I don't think so.
He's probably being raped, Ange,
by a load of 15-year-old schoolgirls!
- Lucky them!
- Listen, I'll tell you something,
at least they had a bit of taste -
they didn't pick him!
I hope he's being a bit more enthusiastic
than when I leap on him!
- Is he one of those?
- Yes, he turns over!
- I've met those before!
- That's enough, Beverly!
- Christ, Laurence, as soon as I enjoy myself...
- Can't you see you're embarrassing Sue?
- I'm sorry, Sue. I didn't mean to embarrass you.
- That's all right.
Sue, it was only a little joke.
- Sue's not been feeling too good, anyway.
- What's the problem, Sue?
- She's been vomiting!

...

http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=abigails-party

So it seems that it's just left to us to think what we will.

Wow, it's all so beautifully horrible.

 

[quimcunx]

I am sure the two things are unconnected but beverly was clearly pregnant, really. Honest.

Alison Steadman was pregnant but the character wasn't.

 

[Celyn]

I am sure the two things are unconnected but beverly was clearly pregnant, really. Honest.

Cheating! Alison Steadman was pregnant, but Beverly liketh not the kiddiewinkies.

- Would you like kids?
No, I don't think I would, really.
Don't get me wrong.
It's not that I don't like kids, because I do.
But let me put it to you this way.
I wouldn't like to actually have to have them.
- Did you have yours in hospital, Sue?
- Yes.
You see, to me, having to go into hospital would
be like being ill, and I couldn't stand that.
I know it sounds horrible,
but having to breastfeed and change nappies
would actually make me heave.
- I don't think I've got that motherly instinct.

She'd probably RUSH to have kids if the Royal family and/or film stars were making it "the thing to do" at the time. Oh gods, imagine a pregnant Beverley - just think of all that added self-importance.