Home, I'm Darling

HOME, I’M DARLING a play presented by Wigan Little Theatre at Wigan Little Theatre, Crompton Street, Wigan on Friday, 26th January 2024.

Home, I’m Darling is a 2019 Oliver Award Winning Comedy penned by the talented Laura Wade.  It was first performed at the Theatre Clwyd, Llandudno on the 3rd July 2018 and although this play is billed as a comedy, won a comedy award and has many laugh-out moments and some great one-liners…I felt there was far more to this play. It has a more serious side, with many thought-provoking elements… some quite sad!  The storyline follows a couple, Judy and Johnny, whose fondness for the 1950s is obvious and which goes far deeper!  They embrace jive dancing, swing skirts and outdated gender roles… Judy quits her job to become a full-time housewife and spends all day cleaning and cooking. Unsurprisingly, paradise is not the bed of roses they expected – Judy’s staying at home soon has ramifications on not just with their relationship, but their finances as well!

The Production Team…  the ever so experienced Tracey Dawson (Director) was the one chosen to lead this production for WLT and once again, it was more than obvious from the beginning that she knew what she wanted from this play and how to achieve it!  Tracey had pulled together an enthusiastic and talented cast who were well-rehearsed and as soon as those lights came up, were ready to give us their all.   Tracey in her programme notes tells us that this will be her last directional production prior to her moving to Cornwall … all I can say is Cornwall’s gain is Wigan’s loss and I’d like to take this opportunity of wishing Tracey all the luck in the world for her future… you will be missed for sure!      

The Cast… which totalled six, four female characters and two male characters all of whom had obviously worked extremely hard to create the wonderfully rounded characters that we saw that evening.  The cast worked and interacted really well with each other throughout, so when this happens, it’s hard to start suggesting that someone was better than someone else, when I felt that the whole was responsible for the success of this production.  But, after saying that, I really do think it would be remiss of me not to make ‘special mention’ our two leads… ‘Judy’ played by Stacey Vernon and ‘Johnny’ played by Neil Brogan.  Judy is central to everything that happens in this play and from her first entrance to her last, Stacey just made this part her own!  Stacey took us on this very emotional journey, producing the ‘perfect 1950’s housewife’, with full-skirted frocks she not only looked the part, but she created this totally believable character, who you thought may well be on the verge or quite possibly in the midst of some sort of breakdown… as her perfect life appeared to be ebbing away!  Blessed with great stage presence, I just loved the characterisation … be ever so proud Stacey wonderful job!  Johnny has a beautiful wife, a beautiful home and with a promotion on the horizon, everything seems perfect, or is it?  So, when cracks start to appear, their beautiful façade threatens their domestic bliss!  Neil complimented Stacey ever so well creating another totally believable character, one with great presence, great mannerisms and facial expressions. There was a wonderful chemistry between them both which was there throughout and which had you rooting for them, despite all their obvious flaws… congrats Neil… great job sir!   Pat Ashurst took on the role of ‘Sylvia’… Stacey’s exasperated but truth-telling mother who is far from happy with her daughters’ recent choices and the current situation she finds herself in at home!  Pat was another who made the part her own and another who created a wonderful character. I loved the ‘monologue’ in Act 2 attacking Sylvia’s fanciful lifestyle… this was not the ‘lifestyle’ that Sylvia marched for all those years ago…. be proud Pat, great job!   Rebecca Moran and Darren Little played ‘Fran’ and ‘Marcus’ respectively. Fran… a vivacious likeable character, a friend of Judy’s, who recently married Marcus.  The four of them go out together at the weekends jiving and there’s little or no doubt that Fran admires Judy and her lifestyle very much.  Rebecca was perfect for this role.  Great stage presence, producing this lovely character that had energy, commitment and great comedic timing… well done Rebecca.  Marcus is a successful business man who runs his own agency, he’s a ‘bit of a naughty character with some controversial views!  Darren did well with the part, creating another believable character.  Both he and Rebecca had some terrific ‘one-liners’ which they delivered with great aplomb!  Well done Darren, well done you two, be proud!  Finally, we had ‘Alex’ played by Erinna Delaney… not the biggest of parts, but Erinna made it her own and gave it her all.  Alex is Johnny boss … a High-Flying Branch Manager who just ‘gets under Judy’s skin’ … Erinna did a good job with this cameo role, good stage presence, good characterisation… loved Judy’s line to Johnny when she firsts meets Alex… "You never said Alex was a woman" … be proud Erinna, good job! 

Staging/Tech…  Once again WLT had designed and constructed a wonderful set, which afford the actors the space, entry/exits to do a great job with this play!  Love the attention to details in making it look 50’s style.  Paul Dawson (Stage Manager) was in charge of all things back stage with Tracy Dawson and Neil Brogan designing the set which was painted by the WLT Set Painting Team… Christine Armstrong, Maureen Schofield, Maggie Hall, Val Miller, Veronica Teesdale, Patricia Ashurst, Barbara Rimmer, Ellen Fitton, Mary B Hill and Hannah Spires and Constructed by … John Gostelow, Phil Wood, Brian Heap, Kevin Fairhurst, David Hill and Gary Hill…. Well done one and all!

Sound/Lights… were good and enhanced the production … in the capable hands of Rachel Taylor, Kim Brown, Rick Kershaw, Andy Brown, Sarah Brown, Will Mulhearn and Brian Kenrick … congrats!

Wardrobe and Props… were appropriate, apt and of the period… under the watchful eye of Stacey Vernon and the cast…  Elaine Delaney, Anne Martin, Jess O’Neil, Susan Price and Hannah Spires.

There were some really good and funny one-liners…
Judy to Fran …. “I love having the time to clean behind things”  
Sylvia to Judy… “the fifties didn’t even look like this in the fifties … they were terrible”!
Loved Frans line ... “paid more because he has a penis”

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I… really did enjoy the play and look forward to seeing
you all again soon!

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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