Home I'm Darling at Malvern Theatres - Review

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Tue 28 Feb 2023 - Sat 04 Mar 2023

Picking up an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2019, Home I'm Darling is finally embarking on its long-awaited first UK tour.

I caught it at Malvern Theatres where it stays for a week until Saturday, March 4. An intriguing lavish set greets theatre-goers with a full house resplendent in 1950s decor.

There's a retro soundtrack to match, which keeps the drama fizzing along as fast as the jive some actors do between scenes. It all feels very Doris Day and Rock Hudson until something seems amiss about what era we are actually in.

Laura Wade has come up with an enthralling quirky tale about a young couple doing a marriage project to live a 1950s lifestyle in modern times. That includes the kitchen equipment, clothes, car and most importantly the outdated gender stereotypes.



It's clever, multi-layered and pacy as the reasons behind the decision become apparent. There's enthusiastic housewife Judy, played by BAFTA award-winning Jessica Ransom, living out her fantasy while her husband Johnny(Neil McDermott) starts to waiver on the whole idea.

The pair have good chemistry that helps the play feel believable in its own bizarre way. It also flips expectations on its head about who ends up revelling in the situation the most.

Adding some normality is Judy's mum Sylvia - an instantly recognisable Diane Keen from decades of TV dramas including Minder and New Tricks, pictured below left. Normal in the sense that she brought her daughter up in a feminist commune near Brighton and is aghast at the idea of Judy spending all day in a pinny.



Most of all, this joint production from Theatr Clwyd and The National Theatre is very funny. It sizzles with originality and feels refreshing as it tackles some of the often unspoken truths about feeling nostalgic.

Beautifully put together, the play is seamless and choreographed to perfection. The two leads even deserve bonus points for often acting while eating.

Among the small multi-tasking cast, Cassie Bradley and Matthew Douglas as friends Fran and Marcus do some nifty dance routines between segments too.

Scintillating, sincere and a brilliant fast-paced sharp comedy, Home I'm Darling is an unmissable joy.

%wnbirmingham

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