Play for Today (TV Series)

Abigail's Party (1977)

Alison Steadman: Beverly

Photos 

Quotes 

• [talking about Beverly's candelabra] 

  Angela : Is it real silver?

  Beverly : Yeah. Silver plate, yeah.

• Beverly : Just because a picture happens to be erotic, does not make it pornographic.

• Angela : Have you ever tried pilchard curry?

  Beverly : No.

  Angela : Oh, that's a very economical dish.

• Beverly : Having to do all that breastfeeding and changing nappies would actually make me heave.

• Beverly : Ange, can you take a little bit of criticism? Now, please don't be offended when I say this, Ange, but I can see what you've done. Okay, you've just sat down in front of your mirror and you've just put your lipstick on. Now, next time, will you try this for me? Now, this is something, Ange, I always used to tell my customers, and it always works. Now, next time, sit down in front of your mirror, and just look at yourself. Relax, and just say, "I've got very beautiful lips." Then take your lipstick and apply it, and Ange, you're gonna see the difference. Because then, you will be applying that lipstick to every single corner of your mouth. Do you know what I mean? Will you try it for me next time?

  Angela : Yes.

  Beverly : Just sit down in front of your mirror, look at yourself, relax, and just say...

  Angela : I've got very beautiful lips.

  Beverly : Yeah. And I promise you, Ange, you're gonna see the difference. Okay?

• Beverly : Don't you find shopping boring, though, Ange? Oh, I do, I hate it. He takes me down in the car, and I get me wheelie, Tone, and I whiz in, I grab anything I can see, bung it in me wheelie, he writes me a cheque, we bung it in the car and we bring it home, and then it's done for the week, you know what I mean?

• Beverly : Sometimes a little row adds sparkle to a relationship.

• [they are listening to Demis Roussos singing "Forever and Ever"] 

  Angela : D'you think he's sexy, Ange?

  Angela : Yes. It's a pity he's so fat.

  Beverly : Yeah, but he doesn't *sound* it, though, does he, when you hear him. It's funny.

• Beverly : [about Laurence]  To be quite honest with you, he's a boring little bugger at times, actually.

• Beverly : Don't get me wrong, Tone, it's not that I can't drive; in fact, I'm a good driver, but... Let me put it to you this way...

• Beverly : Laurence, we're not here to hold conversations, we're here to enjoy ourselves.