Crucible Theatre, Sheffield – until 22nd April 2023
Reviewed by Carol Crann
5*****
The story opens with a chocolate box house from the 1950s, the scene set for the evening’s performance… Many of the everyday items on stage are ones I remember fondly as a child, and no doubt I wasn’t the only one in the audience who did.
It begins with a couple on stage, dressed in typically 50s clothes – Judy (Jessica Ransom) in a pretty dress with lots of petticoats, and the obligatory frilly apron. Meanwhile, Neil McDermott’s Johnny is adorned in tweed, with a waistcoat, and – of course – his pork pie hat.
They’re clearly in love and are sickeningly, almost offensively, happy. It’s a fact that they openly admit to early on in the play, but you sit with an underlying expectancy that it will all go wrong.
There are a twists and turns on the way, but basically the couple are struggling to live their perfect 50s lifestyle, despite their best intentions, and then it all starts to unravel. Their best friends, Fran (Cassie Bradley) and Marcus (Matthew Douglas) look on enviously as they struggle with their own issues, whilst Judy’s Mum, Sylvia – played by Diane Keen – is disapproving as she worries about what her daughter has had to give up in order to immerse herself in the lifestyle. Throw into the mix Johnny’s boss, Alex (Shanez Pattni), who doesn’t share the same belief in him as his wife, and you find yourself with an interesting group of individuals and challenges.
The cast are believable throughout, playing their characters with great success, and the story is a very entertaining mix of humour, honesty and angst that is brilliantly played out in a typical 50s over the top style. Their use of choreography, including the jitterbug and swing, in order to complete some of the set changes, works really well and provides an interesting diversion – it’s also nice to hear the music again!
It’s a play that raises the ever-present gender stereotype issues and provides food for thought of their impact on modern day life, and I found myself comparing the different choices made -particularly by the female characters.
‘Home, I’m Darling’ is definitely worth going to see, and fully deserved the Olivier Award it won in 2019 for Best New Comedy. We enjoyed a humorous and entertaining evening following the different characters through the various life choices they make and the repercussions that come with them. On at The Lyceum in Sheffield until Saturday 22 May.