Review: HOME, I'M DARLING, Theatre Royal, Glasgow
Review of The National Theatre's Home, I'm Darling
Bill Kenwright Productions and National Theatre have embarked on an extensive UK tour of hit comedy play by Laura Wade: Home, I'm Darling.
The play opens with a sickeningly sweet breakfast scene between blissfully happy couple Judy (Jessica Ransom) and Johnny (Neil McDermott). Anna Fleischle's set design is classic 1950s but things aren't quite as straightforward as they first seem. The play takes place in the 21st century and this modern couple has made the decision to live their life in the 1950s.
Judy maintains that things were better in the 50s (despite not being alive to experience it) and has given up a high-powered job to devote herself to being a more traditional housewife. It's a decision that baffles her feminist mother and friends. The goal is to make things simpler for themselves with a spotlessly clean home, home-cooked meals and very little technology. Judy lives in blissful ignorance of world events while her husband works as an estate agent.
Home, I'm Darling is an extremely well-written play that has the satirical elements perfected. There is no irony lost that to source the most genuine 50s furnishings, Judy has to turn to eBay.
Wade's script is witty and playful throughout. This seemingly perfect lifestyle slowly begins to unravel as attention is drawn to the issues in the 1950s that weren't quite as desirable as vintage dresses and pin curls. This is a brilliantly provocative piece disguised as charming fluff.
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