Review by Paul Towers, 8/5/2023
Home, I’m Darling by Laura Wade
Directed by John Ghent
Produced by Leicester Drama Society
At The Little Theatre 8-13 May 2023
“Who wouldn’t want to be a perfect 1950’s housewife?”
Wouldn’t it be nice to live an uncomplicated life? No computers, no wall to wall TV stations, no mobile phones? It would be bliss, wouldn’t it? Or would it?
Judy and Johnny have decided to do just that. Well, almost. Johnny goes out to work while Judy stays home and is the perfect 1950’s housewife. Of course 21st century living has to impede to some extent. Online shopping for vintage clothes and props for their 1950’s house is essential. But apart from that it is all authentic 1950’s at home. Judy has Johnny’s supper and slippers waiting for him when he gets home. Judy spends her days cleaning the house in a selection of impractical frocks and waits for her husband to return from the office. Life is perfect.
Except, of course, it isn’t. Back when they both worked Judy was the highest earner and, with Johnny under performing at work, the money is running out. A crisis looms. As it turns out it is Judy who has bought into the whole domestic submissiveness idea rather more than Johnny.
For those that were actually around in the 1950’s life was not a bright, pastel coloured round of cocktails and domestic harmony. It was post war privation, dirt and grime from the factories and filthy steam trains belching soot everywhere. It was grim. Judy’s stylised fantasy never existed.
Before the show started there was a wonderfully condescending announcement requesting all phones to be turned off. It put us all in the right mood to laugh.
A small tight knit cast of six took us on the reality trip that Judy (Caitlin Mottram) and Johnny (Gary Hunt) needed to travel. Neighbours Fran (Tracey Holderness) and Marcus (Laurence Jackson) swooped in and stirred things up while Judy’s mum Sylvia (Elaine Rook) tried to make her daughter face reality. The final fly in the ointment was Johnny’s new boss Alex (Becky Orton) providing frustrated Johnny with a fantasy strong woman.
The clever set by Al Davis manages to represent an entire house on the stage while lighting design by Andy Crooks, Alex Crooks and Martin Scott ensures our attention is always in the right direction.
The script is full of snappy one-liners and moves at a pace with the experienced actors
Home, I’m Darling is at Leicester’s Little Theatre until Saturday 13th May 2023
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