What do you love about the 1950s?
Is it rock and roll, Pyrex, hand whisks and rotary beaters?
Or Levi jeans, soda and poodle skirts?
Perhaps it’s even instant mashed potatoes.
But do you love these things enough to live a 1950s dream?
Find out at Wokingham Theatre.
Its current offering, Laura Wade’s dark comedy, Home I’m Darling, invites the audience to step into a saccharine pastel world of cocktails and devilled eggs where Judy and Johnny live in post-war bliss.
She stays at home to dust and bake, and he goes to work.
They adore the lifestyle, the clothes, the decor – and especially the appliances.
It’s strawberry and lemon coloured soda stream bliss until, that is, the fridge breaks down, the car needs attention, and glazed smiles begin to wane.
With money running out, a harsh reality sets in, and the couple realise they need to embrace change.
The play’s director Jerry Radburn said: “Home I’m Darling is entertaining, but it also makes you think.
“It’s a funny and interesting study of women’s roles and domesticity, and of how lives have changed.
“There’s a magnificent speech in the second half of the play which gives a very clear idea of what the 1950s were like, which should be interesting not only for those who may have lived through it, but for younger people too.
“Things have changed a lot since the decade, but even a few years ago adverts for household items were always shown with women.
“Now you can have a man and a dog selling kitchenware.”
Because Judy and Johnny have chosen their particular lifestyle, there are some interesting questions to be asked about gender roles.
Can Judy claim to be a stay-at-home feminist because she chose the lifestyle?
Does it matter that Johnny feels emasculated because she does everything for him, just like his mother?
“I hope that audiences will not only be entertained and warmed by the piece, but will enjoy discussing all these questions and more,” said Jerry.
Visually, the production is stunning, and needs to be seen to be believed.
Anyone who has ever owned a dolls’ house will find their jaw drops open when they see it.
“I wanted to recreate all the 1950s colours on stage, as in a Doris Day film,” explained Jerry.
“Everything’s vibrant and bright.
“And the set builders have been nothing short of extraordinary.
“It’s a massive build – so massive it’s gone over budget – but they have done the most remarkable job.”
Finding authentic accessories and appliances has also been a challenge.
“Sourcing a 1950s fridge and cooker has been interesting for our props team, and I’ve ended up loaning my grandparents’ radiogramme.”
Food, too, plays a big part in the show.
“There’s a lot of baking,” he said.
“Our producer Janice has been making vast numbers of authentic chiffon cakes, drizzled lemon cakes, cheese straws and devilled eggs.
“The food needs to be eaten on stage, so it’s important to keep it fresh – it’s quite a challenge.”
First performed in Theatr Clwyd in 2018, Home I’m Darling graced London’s West End in 2019 before touring nationally.
But audiences can see this interesting play at Wokingham Theatre from Thursday, May 1 until Saturday, May 11.
The bar is open from 7pm, with performances beginning at 7.45pm every evening except Sunday.
Tickets cost £16, and can be purchased from: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk
