JANUARY 26 - 31, BATH: If you fancy a night of vol au vents and one too many G&Ts, take a trip to the Theatre Royal Bath this month. Because Beverley, played by Lizzy McInnerny, is having a party from January 26 until 31.

But the play is called Abigail's party, after the 15-year-old punk daughter of one of the guests, who has decided to have her own bash.

Abigail's Party, by Mike Leigh, was screened as a BBC television Play for Today in 1977, and Lizzy takes the role made famous by Alison Steadman.

Lizzy said: "It's a brilliant social comedy. Beverley, the ultimate wannabe, has gone to so much effort organising this party. But not everything goes to plan."

Set in a North London living room in the 1970s, Abigail's Party is all about keeping up with the Joneses. So Beverley is ultra high-maintenance and cannot survive without hairspray.

Lizzy said: "She has to look immaculate. Which means I have quite a rigorous grooming regime. She wears a beautiful slash turquoise dress and has scarlet nails."

Beverley, a former make-up supervisor, is a frustrated trophy wife, married to Laurence, a workaholic estate agent. Lizzy describes the woman as a "Hyacinth Bucket with libido". Having moved away from the tight-knit community of Bethnal Green, she feels isolated in her middle-class suburb.

"She is lonely and meddlesome,'' said Lizzy. "They are the ultimate social aspirants, putting on a show. Beverley fancies herself as 'queen of the close'."

Beverley's guests go heavy on the gin and the results are hilarious.

Retro fans will also appreciate the set, which features a kitsch drinks cabinet and bar.

Lizzy said: "We were performing in Birmingham and the stage was sloping, so a glass slid straight off the bar and smashed. I had to improvise fast because I needed it for a line about brandy."

Ever since her childhood, Lizzy has loved acting and the theatre. Her mother Mary did amateur dramatics and father Ron was a film buff.

So after completing her A-levels, she set about realising her ambition for a career on stage.

She said: "As long as I passed those exams, my parents were happy for me to give anything a try."

A mixture of talent and luck secured her a place at RADA and theatre work has been steady ever since.

Lizzy has also been successful on screen, starring in TV shows like An Evening With Gary Lineker, The Bill and Holby City.

In future, she hopes to tackle more films call it her New Year's resolution. She said: "I fancy a really meaty role in a movie. Something challenging." As for spare time, Lizzy likes watching DVDs or going out for dinner with her partner.

And she is looking forward to sampling a cream tea in the famous Pump Rooms when she comes to Bath.

Tickets for the show cost between £10 and £25. For bookings call 01225 448844. VICTORIA TAGG