PREPARE to be whisked back to the 1950s.
Laura Wade’s funny and beautifully choreographed play delivers post war clichés and charm in abundance, while giving its audience food for thought.
It asks, who does the housework?
How can you be tired when you don’t do anything?
And why did women of the 1950s really congregate in the kitchen?
A fascinating study of post war optimism, it follows the life of perfect 1950s couple, Judy and Johnny.
They have planned out their dream, and all they have to do now is live it.
Visually, the production is a delight.
The couple’s home is reminiscent of a doll’s house, with pastel colours, geometric wallpaper, and appliances and furniture that could grace the front cover of a 1950s House Beautiful magazine.
Indeed, audience members were heard whispering that they had one of those in their kitchen.
There are some clever twists and turns to the story that this review has no wish to spoil.
Suffice to say that there are some interesting surprises to enjoy.
Johnny is an estate agent with hopes of promotion.
He goes to work every day in his Austin, leaving domestic goddess Judy at home to bake, dust and hoover.
By their own admission, they are both terribly, offensively, sickeningly happy.
And here is the first hint that perhaps all may not be well.
Friends Fran and Marcus share similar interests, including swing, while Judy’s mother, Sylvia finds the couple’s lifestyle frustrating, and Johnny’s boss is less than impressed with his performance.
The cast is excellent, throughout.
Judy (Jessica Ransom), Johnny (Neil McDermott), Fran (Cassie Bradley), Marcus (Matthew Douglas), Sylvia (Diane Keen) and Alex (Shanez Pattni) all give very strong performances.
And engaging and imaginative direction by Tamara Harvey and Hannah Noone ensures that even the set changes are a joy to watch.
Home I’m Darling, as its title suggests, is not quite what it seems.
Yes, it’s funny, and entertaining, but as it turns perfection on its head, and peels back the veneer, it reveals what else lies behind the 1950s dream.
When the fridge no longer works, the car is spluttering, and a relationship is fraying, it’s time to ask the right questions and to think about sharing the load.
In this comic portrayal of domestic hopes and dreams, there is an important discussion to be had about 21st century gender politics.
It’s an entertaining and thought provoking production, and well worth seeing.
It began its run in Windsor and will shortly be touring nationally.
Audiences can see it at Theatre Royal, Windsor, until Saturday, February 4.
Doors open at 7.30pm Monday through to Saturday, with matinées on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.
The Thursday matinée will be audio described.
Tickets cost from £19.50 to £40 depending on seat location.
For tickets and information log on to: www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.ukor call the box office on: 01753 853888
