The Good Life

The Good Life was originally created by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey and ran for four seasons from 1975 to 1978. Tom Good and his wife Barbara decide to give up the rat race and become self-sufficient. They convert their garden into a small holding with pigs, chickens and a goat called Geraldine. Their neighbours are hen pecked Jerry Leadbetter and his want to be snob, wife Margo. We also met Jerry’s boss Andrew Ferguson and his wife Felicity. 

The set was well designed with two halves. A living roomfor Margo and Jerry with a sideboard and drinks trolley. There was a basic kitchen for Tom and Barbara. The set worked really well with the actors using either side of the stage. The costumes were excellent with the era being captured perfectly. 

The story line begins with Tom celebrating his 40th birthday and deciding that he wanted more from life. Unbeknown to him, wife Barbara was thinking along the same lines. So the story unfolds with them growing their own veg in the garden. Chickens constantly escaping and Geraldine the goat making appearances in their kitchen and in Margo’s living room. Pinky the pig giving birth to her piglets and a multitude of characters trying to save the runt piglet’slife. 

This was full of comedy and very entertaining. Barbara was played well with great facial expressions and sarcasm. I enjoyed the performance of Tom and Gerry was portrayed well. The absolute star of this production was Margo. She really embraced the personality of Margo and drew us back into our TVs in the 1970’s. Listening to her voice and watching her mannerisms, she was exactly like Penelope Keith’s version of Margo.

The main four characters were ably supported by Andrew and Felicity Ferguson, Harry the pig man, Doctor Joe, Margaret, Mary, the milk lady, Mrs Pearson and the policeman. 

This was a good performance and credit must go to all the support crewmoving props around this busy performance. 

An enjoyable evening transporting us back to the mid 1970’s and my childhood. So I remember the original series. This was much enjoyed by the audience. Well done everyone involved. Thank you for inviting me.

 

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