If you can't have a laugh and a drink on a Friday night, when can you?

1979. The Winter of Discontent is over and Margaret Thatcher's regime is about to transform the country. Old friends come together in a Kilburn bed-sit.

Loneliness, togetherness, longing, warmth, love... Ecstasy is compassionate, thoughtful and extremely funny.

Mike Leigh is, for the first time ever, returning to one of his past plays. He is joined by his regular collaborator and multi award-winning designer Alison Chitty. Leigh is best known for his films, including Happy-Go-Lucky, Vera Drake (winner of the Golden Lion at Venice Film Festival), Topsy-Turvy and Secrets & Lies (winner of the Palm d'Or at Cannes Film Festival).

His relationship with Hampstead Theatre started with his renowned Abigail's Party which premiered in 1977, followed by Ecstasy, Goose-Pimples and Smelling a Rat. His most recent play, Two Thousand Years, was a sell-out success at the National Theatre in 2008.