Analysing the marketing shot for Matthew Dunster’s forthcoming drama Before The Party, it appears audiences can expect an array of vintage dresses straight out of Mad Men’s enviable dressing-up box and a hint of the sinister with a blood-dripping knife on display. But, given the Almeida theatre’s production is the first time a version of the play based on Somerset Maugham’s short story has been presented in more than 25 years, it’s not been easy to guess what else will be in store for audiences.
Until now that is. This week has offered us a tantalising preview in the form of photographer Keith Pattison’s selection of rehearsal images which give a sneaky glimpse as to what cast members including Olivier Award-winning actress Michelle Terry and IT Crowd star Katherine Parkinson will look like together as the Skinners, a family unit desperately trying to return to normal following the Second World War while threatened by a shocking secret. Now you’ll only have to wait until 21 March when previews begin to discover more…