EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite has landed the lead role in a classic British stage show. Known for playing Mel Owen on the BBC soap, the actor will appear in a new touring production of Abigail’s Party.

Tamzin is set to play Beverly, described as “one of the most iconic characters in British theatre” and a role originated by Gavin & Stacey‘s Alison Steadman in Mike Leigh’s play.

The Stratford East production will begin its run in June at Malvern Theatres, before hitting stops in Bath, Fareham, Brighton, Leicester, London and Cambridge.

Abigail’s Party is set in 1977 in Essex, as Beverly hosts neighbours for a soiree that gets tenser and tenser as the evening progresses.

The story begins as “the alcohol is flowing, Demis Roussos is on the record player and the cheese and pineapple cocktail sticks are ready to go”.

“Queen of the castle in her suburban semi, Beverly and husband Laurence welcome new neighbours Angela and Tony round for drinks,” the synopsis adds.

“Sue from next door is invited too but the real party is happening back at her place, as Sue’s teenage daughter Abigail can’t seem to keep the racket down. Awkward small talk quickly descends into inappropriate flirtation and marital disputes: a soiree from hell, but it’d be rude to leave…”

The production is directed by Nadia Fall, who is the artistic director at London’s Young Vic theatre.

Tamzin was last seen on EastEnders in 2019, and spoke a few years later over why she was glad her character Mel was killed off.

“At first I was sad that Mel died,” she told Inside Soap. “And now I am pleased because it means the door is closed and it’s done.

“Part of the excitement of being an actor is the uncertainty and not knowing what the next job is. I was very fond of the character. But to know you can’t go back is nice in a way.”