Production: Home, I'm Darling
Melbourne Theatre Company at the Southbank Theatre until 29 February
Imagine your life today, then set in the 50's. Imagine how things would play out. Think about what would be different. Picture what would would change.
This is the premise of Home, I'm Darling, Laura Wade's comedy currently playing at the Southbank Theatre which is done with great aplomb.
Judy (Nikky Shiels) has this life. Gone is her life as a career woman in Middle England. In the years before the action, she took a package from work, her husband, Johnny (Toby Truslove) is the breadwinner and everything appears to be a 1950's perfection, down to dinner on the table when hubby gets home, laminate benchtops and a cocktail set on the sideboard. This arrangement appears to suit the both of them. Judy enjoys her housewife life, away from the stresses and horrors of modern corporate life. Johnny is fine with the situation, supporting his wife and their shared love of all things from the 50's.
But of course, the wheels come off, and that slightly dull and muted veneer hides some very uncomfortable truths.
Home, I'm Darling is a wryly observed situational comedy, where a longing for the past is show for what it really is. It looks at a marriage and how differing standards and events shape a wonderful construct and turn everything on its ear. Life is not as perfect as it looks for Judy and Johnny as modern day pressures infiltrate their 1950's haven.
This play is a solid start for the MTC's 2020 season. It is a gorgeous production, the set straight out of your nana's house when you were a child, only better kept and detailed. I had my eye on the step stool near the old fridge. We had one when I was a kid. It was brilliant.
The costumes were sumptuous as well, Judy, in particular has an amazing wardrobe which is a joy to behold.
Strong performances from Nikki Sheils and Toby Truslove are backed up by Jane Turner, playing Nikki's activist, feminist mother, Susie Youssef as her best friend Fran, and Peter Paltos as Fran's slightly sleazy husband Marcus are all great. Izabella Yena is also strong as Johnny's boss.
As the play progresses and Judy loses control of her 1950's reality, things eventually come to a head. Does Judy want to remain in her bubble? The play questions women's choices and how they are so varied, different and can be judged and perceived differently through many eyes.There is one speech, delivered by Judy's mum which resonates through the play. Things in the 50's were not as good as Doris Day and Rock Hudson made it out to be.
I loved this. Even if Judy's seemingly tenuous grip on reality grates at times, the play has a lot to say.
Even if contradictory views on feminism aren't your things, there is enough in the set, the costumes and the play's soundtrack to keep you entertained. The attention to detail in Renee Mulder's set and costume design is extraordinary.
Home, I'm Darling is definitely worth a look.
Today's Song:
Melbourne Theatre Company at the Southbank Theatre until 29 February
Imagine your life today, then set in the 50's. Imagine how things would play out. Think about what would be different. Picture what would would change.
This is the premise of Home, I'm Darling, Laura Wade's comedy currently playing at the Southbank Theatre which is done with great aplomb.
Judy (Nikky Shiels) has this life. Gone is her life as a career woman in Middle England. In the years before the action, she took a package from work, her husband, Johnny (Toby Truslove) is the breadwinner and everything appears to be a 1950's perfection, down to dinner on the table when hubby gets home, laminate benchtops and a cocktail set on the sideboard. This arrangement appears to suit the both of them. Judy enjoys her housewife life, away from the stresses and horrors of modern corporate life. Johnny is fine with the situation, supporting his wife and their shared love of all things from the 50's.
But of course, the wheels come off, and that slightly dull and muted veneer hides some very uncomfortable truths.
Home, I'm Darling is a wryly observed situational comedy, where a longing for the past is show for what it really is. It looks at a marriage and how differing standards and events shape a wonderful construct and turn everything on its ear. Life is not as perfect as it looks for Judy and Johnny as modern day pressures infiltrate their 1950's haven.
This play is a solid start for the MTC's 2020 season. It is a gorgeous production, the set straight out of your nana's house when you were a child, only better kept and detailed. I had my eye on the step stool near the old fridge. We had one when I was a kid. It was brilliant.
The costumes were sumptuous as well, Judy, in particular has an amazing wardrobe which is a joy to behold.
Strong performances from Nikki Sheils and Toby Truslove are backed up by Jane Turner, playing Nikki's activist, feminist mother, Susie Youssef as her best friend Fran, and Peter Paltos as Fran's slightly sleazy husband Marcus are all great. Izabella Yena is also strong as Johnny's boss.
As the play progresses and Judy loses control of her 1950's reality, things eventually come to a head. Does Judy want to remain in her bubble? The play questions women's choices and how they are so varied, different and can be judged and perceived differently through many eyes.There is one speech, delivered by Judy's mum which resonates through the play. Things in the 50's were not as good as Doris Day and Rock Hudson made it out to be.
I loved this. Even if Judy's seemingly tenuous grip on reality grates at times, the play has a lot to say.
Even if contradictory views on feminism aren't your things, there is enough in the set, the costumes and the play's soundtrack to keep you entertained. The attention to detail in Renee Mulder's set and costume design is extraordinary.
Home, I'm Darling is definitely worth a look.
Today's Song:
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