Home, I'm Darling - A fabulous feast of all things fifties!
Home, I’m Darling, by Laura Wade at the Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 18 - 26 September 2026. Directed by Jacquie Campbell. Assistant Director Elliot Gear.
Review by Ann Evans.
With a back-to-front title such as Home, I’m Darling, you can guess there’s going to be a few surprises – and you wouldn’t be wrong.
Johnny and Judy appear to be living the dream. It’s the 1950s - or at least it appears to be the 1950s – the house, the furnishings, the fridge, the cooker, the music, the clothing. You only start to realise that things aren’t quite what they seem when Judy brings out her laptop and her friend Fran checks her mobile phone.
Actually, Johnny and Judy have fallen in love with all things 1950s style – well, Judy has. What she loves most about that era is that she can be a housewife. Johnny is the traditional bread-winner while she is a stay-at-home wife, spending her day cooking, cleaning and ironing her husband’s shirts – and she loves it.
Judy, played beautifully by Lily Skinner is the perfect 1950s wife, always looking her best – a smile on her face for her husband when he walks through that door – no matter what. She sits him down, swaps shoes for slippers, hands him a pre-dinner drink and in a flash, dinner is on the table. She even takes the top off his boiled egg at breakfast time. She’s in her element – Johnny, not so much! Cracks are starting to show!
As for Judy’s outfits, she really is a goddess of the 1950s, and a very nifty quick-change artist to boot, as with every scene there’s another 50s outfit. Hats off to the wardrobe department of Elizabeth Foster, Diana Leabon and Grace Arand, who did an amazing job in selecting the outfits for all the cast – especially Judy and her friend Fran.
Johnny, played brilliantly by Richard Sandle-Keynes, works for an estate agent and is hopeful that he’s in line for a promotion. He has a new boss, Alex played by Charlotte Hammond but their jovial close relationship is something Judy struggles with and it’s not long before she’s accusing her husband of having an affair. Adding insult to injury her friend Fran, played delightfully by Rachel Barton-Noakes tells her that she’d seen Johnny out for pizza with a woman. However, Fran has problems of her own with her husband, Marcus played humorously by Tony Homer.
As harmony in Johnny and Judy’s home begins to crumble, Johnny starts to tell Judy some home truths, shattering her illusion that they are living the dream.
Judy’s mother, Sylvia portrayed by Lynn Taylor, is definitely a woman of today, and pulling no punches reminds Judy that life in the 1950s was nothing like the fantasy she’d woven around herself.
There’s so much humour in this production, it’s a real pleasure to watch. Not least Judy's facial expressions as she bravely switches on the perfect smile to show that all is well in their 50s bubble. She and Johnny are just brilliant together as they struggle through the problems that arise, threatening their marriage. But whether their love for each other is strong enough to get through all their difficulties, you’ll have to see the play for yourself to find out.
Great acting by all the cast, their lines delivered clearly and faultlessly. And the ending was a real fun surprise - the audience loved it!
The opening night was particularly special, as the Bear Pit held their 1950s Gala Night, and had a new wine list on offer at the bar, along with cheese and pineapple on sticks. The audience were invited to dress up in their best 50s frocks and after the show, join the cast on set for photos. So lots of fifties fun for everyone!
For tickets: https://www.thebearpit.org.uk/
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