Past productions

HOME, I’M DARLING

25 April – 4 May 2024

By Laura Wade

Every marriage needs a little fantasy to keep it sparkling. But behind the gingham curtains, being a domestic goddess isn’t as easy as it looks… Judy has retreated so far into her 1950s world that she is losing touch with reality and spiralling out of control. The bubble she has created is getting closer to exploding.

 Home, I’m Darling is Laura Wade’s new dark comedy about sex, cake and the quest to be the perfect 1950s housewife.


Cast

Judy | Elke Desanghere
Johnny | James Mercer
Fran | Rosie Foster
Marcus | Adam Stevens
Alex | Penny Parker
Sylvia | Susie Timms

Directed by Abigail Waterfield

Photography by Chris Fenton


Review | May 2024 | Theo Spring

What a challenge for Director Abigail Waterfield. Setting a costume production in the 1950s is one thing but creating a totally believable 50s set is another thing altogether, yet Set Designer – Tayla Hanrahan and the set construction team not only provided a truly realistic 50s kitchen complete with that wonderful old fridge, but a living room and raised bedroom too. On top of this, there had to be two sets. A before and after Judy decided to become a home goddess. Fortunately, the ‘before’ set for Act 11 was on video by Videographer George Wilshaw, and that in itself was very cleverly done.

The play started with a video screened before the curtains opened. The perfect breakfast made by the perfect wife and the appreciative husband seeming to enjoy everything being ready for him, even to the top of his egg being removed in readiness for him, all prior to his departure for work. The curtain rose on the same setting and slowly the beginnings of the cracks in this flawless ideal started to show.

Elke Desanghere filled the pivotal role of Judy who looked happy with her decision to take redundancy from her high-powered job and revert both herself, her wardrobe and her home back to the 1950s, taking her husband and, to a degree, friends along as well. Swishing around in an ever-changing 50s wardrobe, for which full marks to Berry Butler and the Director, Judy’s day is full of housework minutia. The taps are polished to a shine with lemon juice and a whole day is set aside for baking. She is always ready with a welcome home drink for husband Johnny as he walks through the door. James Mercer – matching Elke Desanghere’s acting expertise as Johnny – managed to hint at being slightly at odds with this way of life. But all came to a head when the money from his salary ran out, he did not get the promotion he sought and, to top it all, admitted to having feelings for his boss Alex, played with jaunty confidence by Penny Parker who showed visible discomfort during her drinks invitation, plied as she was with over catered nibbles. 

Enter Judy’s mother Sylvia in wonderfully clashing colours. She didn’t condone the 50s idea. She had been there and it wasn’t all chocolates and roses by any means. Why had her daughter not found another job and brought home a good salary? Susie Timms had Sylvia’s character beautifully off-beat and her well-delivered tirade in Act 11 gave sensible argument against the whole 50s idea. 

Unfortunately, Judy is encouraged in her dream world by friend Fran who, as something of an admitted slob, initially sought to emulate the immaculate tidiness of Judy’s home and living. Copying the 50s dress style, Fran starts to try the odd tip from Judy but receives no enthusiasm from husband Marcus. Rosie Foster created a Fran visibly envious of the state of her friend’s house whilst seemingly unwilling to try to emulate it herself and Adam Stevens made her husband something of a fly in the ointment both when at home and whilst with Judy and Johnny. His scene suggesting there might be other ways for Judy to earn some money was resourcefully directed whilst leaving no doubt as to his motives. 

The four of them go annually to Jivestock, where dancing and ideals harp back to earlier times but this year Fran and Marcus deliver the blow that they are not going, so there is more upset for Judy and Johnny. 

A big fight clears the air in the 50s house, with admissions, agreement to change, harsh words and a deal to bring in a pizza sometimes.  There is a threat to lose the house if the mortgage isn’t paid. 

Music adds much to the show’s atmosphere. The opening song by Jack Jones – Wives and Lovers – with lyrics that certainly set the scene, was followed throughout the production with carefully chosen hits from the era – all with words relevant to the tale.

Both actors and crew alike seemed undaunted by the enormous demands of this production and huge congratulations are due to everyone who really helped to pull it off, including Prop Makers Sophie Williams, Jemima Symons and Tiffer Cundy. A high standard of acting, particularly from Elke Desanghere, who was faultless with her many lines, but mainly to the imagination and determination of Director Abigail Waterfield who must be more than delighted with the outcome of her endeavours.