Life of the Party is a 1957 Australian play by Ray Mathew.
It was a finalist in the 1957 London Observer competition, was given a public reading at the Independent Theatre in Sydney in 1958, and had a short season in London in 1960. Being produced in London was a notable achievement for an Australian play at the time.
The 1960 production in London starred Alan Badel and was directed by Frith Banbury. The Daily Telegraph called it "most unpleasant." Variety was also critical.
Premise
Various people live in an apartment block in Kings Cross, Sydney, including a radio writer and a married couple. They have a party and are forced to take stock of their lives when a neighbour dies.