Written by Laura Wade, Home, I’m Darling won the Olivier Award in 2019 for the Best New Comedy.
Upon arrival into the theatre, the audience is immediately transported to the 1950s. The stunning set design (by Neil Barnett and Molly Simons) establishes the era before a single word has even been spoken … until astute eyes notice the video player tucked away in the lounge room area of the set. All is not what is seems, and as the story unfolds the audience discovers that while the set is something straight out of the 50s, the story itself is set in current times.
Judy (Danielle Payet) dreams of living life as a traditional 1950s housewife and has convinced her husband Johnny (Rob Blowers) to not only convert their entire house to a vintage 50s style, but to also adapt every other facet of their lives to being in the 50s. Judy has quit her job to become a stay at home traditional housewife, much to the dismay of Judy’s feminist mother, Sylvia (Genevieve Ryan).
With the “tradwife” becoming a current social media trend, this story has surprising relevance to today’s society. After all the progress made for women over the past decades, why would anyone want to choose to go back to the 50s lifestyle? Despite the romantic notions of becoming a domestic goddess with all that free time each day to cook and clean, the 50s also came with its challenges.
Danielle Payet is perfectly cast as the stereotypical 1950s housewife and delivers a delightful and convincing portrayal of Judy. Rob Blowers is charming as Johnny, the husband who is, ironically, willing to do whatever it takes to support his wife to fulfill her dreams, even if that means reverting back to a traditional lifestyle.
Providing some balance to Judy and Johnny’s traditional lifestyle are their friends, Fran (Susan Collier) and Marcus (Thomas O’Hare), and Johnny’s new boss Alex (Teghan Webster). All are well cast and deliver excellent performances.
Wardrobe (Aylee Jones, Jayne Ruddick and Brigitte Thompson) highlights the differences between the eras. Lighting design (Jenni Evans) and sound design (Damien and Amy Calvert) are well done.
Despite being billed as a comedy, there were a number of jokes that just didn’t elicit much response from the audience. However, the story picks up in the second act, and all the foundational work setting the story in the first act pays off. There are a few story threads left unresolved by the end of the play for audiences to ponder further, but ultimately it’s an entertaining night of theatre.
Director Amy Calvert has delivered a charming production that will entertain audiences, but also provide plenty of food for thought for those who like to delve a little deeper.
Home, I’m Darling is now playing at the 1812 Theatre
For more information: https://www.1812theatre.com.au/2025-season/home-im-darling/
