Countdown to Home, I'm Darling
By director Frank Kaye
Progress on Home, I’m Darling over the last few months has been fantastic!
The cast have completely nailed what this play is saying, with each character playing a designated role in establishing its central purpose. The initial clarity gradually unravels with the two main protagonists having to rebuild their marital relationship from scratch. Rebecca Down carries the role of Judy with power and transparency, whilst her husband Johnny, played masterfully by Marc Reid, challenges many of her assumptions with authenticity.
This dark comedy is beautifully structured with each of the other four characters having a strong scene in each act in order to present their respective characters. They include Alex, Johnny’s boss; Sylvia, Judy’s mother; Fran, Judy’s best friend; and Marcus, Fran’s husband. These four supporting characters serve as critical mirrors, catalysts and reality checks for the married couple.
The set for the production has been originally imagined by Beth Reynolds, and our hard-working set-building team have done an incredible job skilfully constructing it, with Beth at the helm. The kitchen and sitting room of Judy and Johnny's house create the context for the play’s evolution. The kitchen is dominated by a fridge and a table, whilst the sitting room has a conventional sofa – all bearing the 1950s stamp. These two spaces are crucial to the way the play unfolds.
Not only is music throughout the play essential to the way the action transitions from scene to scene, but our favourite ’50s melodies also transport us right back to a different world. Lighting too has an important role to play in establishing mood and energy at key points. Saying that, the production does ultimately depend on our realistic costume and prop production to provide the appropriate 1950s hallmark.
After all the hard work everyone involved has put in, and with only one week to go now until our first performance, I, for one, can’t wait to experience the final show!
Haven’t booked your tickets yet? You can buy yours here now. In the meantime, take a look at a few pictures below from our rehearsals and set building to get a flavour of what’s to come!
