IT'S one of the classics of the modern stage, a peep through the (gaudy brown) curtains at suburban attitudes, passive aggression and one-upmanship.

And in this, its 40th year, Abigail's Party remains as fresh, as funny and as toe-curlingly painful as ever.

This 40th anniversary production at the Theatre Royal in Bath stars Amanda Abbington (she of Mrs Watson in BBC1's Sherlock fame) as Beverly, the role forever associated with the legendary Alison Steadman in the TV version.

Abbington is joined by Ben Caplan as Beverly's long-suffering husband Laurence, Charlotte Mills as Angela, Ciaran Owens as Tony and Rose Keegan as Susan.

The play takes place in Beverly and Laurence's sitting room, furnished to the hilt with all the latest 1970s fashions and mod cons.

The couple have invited round their new neighbours, the hapless Angela and brooding Tony (whom Bev takes an instant fancy to) along with Sue, whose daughter, Abigail, is holding her first teenage party in the house next door.

Endless drinks, cigarettes and nibbles (cheesy pineapple one?) are thrust upon the guests by Beverly, who is doing her damnedest to be the hostess with the mostess.

But what appears on the surface to be a pleasant social evening among neighbours is really a chance for Bev to assert her sense of superiority. The houses on this side of the street are much bigger than the ones on yours, she tells Ange, who at no point seems to notice the endless putdowns, all of which are served with a sickly smile and a teeny tiny top-up of gin and tonic.

The play has to be the best example of the emerging English middle classes of that era and, as is classic with Mike Leigh, it holds a mirror to the ambitions, hypocrisies and underlying unpleasantness of which the human race is capable.

However, in this production, directed by Sarah Esdaile, Tony is missing some of the dark, violent undertone usually portrayed, while Beverly isn't quite syrupy enough to begin with so her descent into drunken bitchiness is less impressive. The overall effect is to leave the play less nuanced and complicated in its subtleties and as a result, it felt lacking in pace at times.

That said, Mills gives a rip-roaring performance as Angela, leaving behind the timid little bird of a character we all know so well from the TV play in favour of a rotund, cheerful fool, endlessly optimistic but not very bright. The biggest laughs of the night were all due to Mills' comic timing and relentless gormlessness.

Lastly, the set deserves a special mention. It starts as an outside view of a modern semi and we can see Beverly wandering around getting ready for her guests as the audience files in to find its seats. When the play opens, the front lifts up like a doll's house, drawing us right into the living room where all the action is based.

All in all, niggles aside, the play remains a masterpiece and this is a great night out. And judging by the reaction of the audience, they agreed. Do you know what I mean?

Abigail's Party is at the Theatre Royal, Bath until Saturday, March 11. Call 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk.