Review of Home, I’m Darling at the Barn Theatre in Welwyn Garden City.
As I made my way to the Barn Theatre for the opening night of Laura Wade’s Olivier-winning Home, I’m Darling, I pondered on the significance of the title.
Why wasn’t it ‘Darling, I’m Home’?
The reason became clear right at the start. Johnny and Judy’s ‘Home’ is central to their lives. It is decorated and furnished in true 1950s style and Judy has chosen to be the stay-at-home wife, cooking and cleaning and dressing in 50s swirly dresses, leaving Johnny to bring in the money by working for an estate agent.
Being set in Welwyn Garden City makes it feel brilliantly close to home, with references to the Shredded Wheat factory and the new shopping centre.
It did make me wonder why Wade chose WGC but maybe because it, too, is a bit retro now?
The ideal home of Judy (Becky Done) and Johnny (Jon Brown) hides some painful truths. Judy’s mother Sylvia, played by Hazel Halliday, is dismayed by her daughter’s role as housewife.
A staunch feminist, she can’t believe her daughter could give up her successful career in finance to just be at home.
The friends of the happy couple are Fran, played by Sarah Gennoe, and Marcus played by Mike Garbutt.
I have to say Mike’s drunken dancing with Judy was extremely funny. Equally funny, Jane Lee Jones, in the role of Alex, the career-driven estate agent, pulled such faces as I’ve never seen!
The stunning set gives us a real feel of a typical modern 1950s home, with clever design by Stephanie Dunn, showing both upstairs and downstairs and superbly constructed by Ian Bage and the team.
Despite all the comedy and fun, there are some serious themes running through the play. Judy and Johnny’s decision to reduce to one income does have financial implications and they default on their mortgage bringing great stress to the relationship. What choices did women have in their lives then – is it better today?
Marcus has no sense of boundaries, as was common at the time, and took advantage of his female staff inappropriately touching them, though paid the price of his wandering hands. Again, are things better today 50 years later?
This play leaves you thinking.
Home, I’m Darling runs until Saturday, October 12 at 8pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Tickets cost £15 from the Barn Theatre box office on 01707 324300 or online at www.barntheatre.co.uk
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