I spent an excruciating night at the theatre and I loved every minute

We've been invited to an excruciating cocktail party with an awful hostess and I can't wait.

Anyone familiar with Mike Leigh's seventies play Abigail's Party will know what to expect. His famous Play for Today version starring Alison Steadman as the suburban housewife who invites neighbours around for a drinks night is engrained in the memory of many so this new take, directed by rising star Jack Bradfield and having its premiere at Northern Stage in Newcastle, has a lot to live up to.

But I'm glad to report that it's toe-curling stuff. Playing Beverly is The Sins and Bad Girls actress Laura Rogers who holds court as her unfortunate guests arrive, swooping down on her company, picking her targets - and she certainly has her eye on the taciturn Tony, played as the only Geordie here by Joe Blakemore - and plying them with endless drinks, while becoming increasingly drunk herself and sniping at husband Laurence.

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We the audience feel like we're guests too - the kind who quite enjoy watching, from just a safe enough distance, when things kick off. We share the discomfort of this awkward social gathering as the cast draw everything they can from the odd assortment of characters and it's brilliantly done, from Beverly's provocative dancing for Laurence to the increasingly uncomfortable guest Susan (Amy Rockson) - mother of the unseen Abigail who is having a party nearby of her own - being served far more drink than she wants when she would really just rather go home.

I particularly liked Chaya Gupta as Tony's well-meaning but apparently oblivious wife Angela who eventually becomes aware of the changing dynamics in the room; Leander Deeny's hilarious and pretentious pronunciation of French as Laurence tries to impress and how they all hang on expectantly when they think Tony is about to join the conversation.

It's all sharply observed and it's horribly funny. I also loved the staging: proud Beverly's smart home laid out over one enormous shag pile carpet - proper seventies - and all those retro seventies touches are there, including the fibre optic lamp and snacks of cheese and pineapple on sticks. And there's a Mini on set which is a feat in itself.

But there's no Demis Roussos. Only those who have seen the Play for Today version will know Beverly's obsession with Roussos whose record she was so determined to play, at volume, for her guests but it turns out that this was a change made to the TV drama for copyright reasons. So here we have the focus on the play's original singer, José Feliciano, which actually makes more sense plus some seventies classics, including Donna Summer's Love to Love You Baby, adding to the mood.

Despite the laughs, this is the darkest of comedy in many ways, with marriages laid bare over the course of the evening and a shock in store which reveals another side to Beverly. Writer-director Bradfield does full justice to the mix and ensures this is a party we can't resist attending, even though we know it won't end well.

He won the Royal Theatrical Support Trust's Sir Peter Hall Director Award to direct the show and special guest the Duke of Edinburgh was among Wednesday night's audience, along with members of the Trust which supports this Northern Stage co-production.

Following its Newcastle run, which ends on September 28, the play goes on tour so catch it while you can. To book tickets see here.