Darling, I’m home! And just in time to head straight back out again for an evening’s trip to the theatre to catch Laura Wade’s Home, I’m Darling as it heads to the Theatre Royal from 11th – 15th April as part of its highly anticipated tour. We caught up with some of the cast to find out what drew them to the show and why it is that they are excited to be visiting Brighton in particular.
But first, you might have seen, as we certainly have, posters hung about the city adorned with a smiling Jessica Ransom, complete with teacup and “pinky out”, in front of a backdrop that would not look out of place in a poorly-aged advert for kitchenware from a bygone era. So I guess our first question had to be quite simply, what is it that the show is actually about?
“It’s about a couple who decide to live their lives as though they’re in the 1950s,” says Jessica Ransom, known for for her role as Morwenna Newcross in ITV’S Doc Martin, who plays Judy in the production. “They’re both enthusiastic about the era – the look of it and the ideals as viewed through the kaleidoscope of movies, with that sensibility of everything being wonderful and rosy.” A nostalgia-fuelled trip down memory lane for some and a chance to oggle the culture and couture of a perhaps simpler time sounds like a laidback night of easy-going escapism, yes? “Let’s just say it doesn’t stay rosy that long.”
We probably could have guessed that. After all, a piece of sparkling new-writing billed as “one woman’s quest to be the perfect 1950’s housewife” would not perhaps be expected to have taken the UK theatre scene by storm in 2018 (the year of its World Premiere at Theatr Clwyd) but Laura Wade’s sharp writing twists tropes and sheds light on uncomfortable truths in a thought-provoking comedy the Guardian described as “a timely analysis of the gender divide”. A future life at the National Theatre followed by a transfer to the Duke of York’s in the West End (as well as an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy) were testament to the show’s keen insight and immaculate realisation and prospective audiences will be encouraged to learn that the current production reunites the entire original creative team for a tour across the UK, from Cambridge to Canterbury and Birmingham to Brighton.
The cast clearly think highly of Wade’s writing. “It’s classic Laura Wade,” states Diane Keen who plays Sylvia in the production. “Brilliantly put together, and at first you don’t see the nuances in it because they’re so subtle.” Co-Star Jessica Ransom concurs. “It prompts interesting moral questions, not just about living as a housewife but also stuff about work, sex and relationships.” Ransom takes over the role from Katherine Parkinson who starred as Judy at the National Theatre as well as the West End. Is it daunting following such a recognised performer and performance? “I just see it as a fantastic opportunity. It’s a testament to Laura Wade’s writing, Tamara Harvey’s direction and Katherine’s performance that the play has been hugely successful and I’m only able to do the tour because the initial production was such a success.”
Neil McDermott, playing Judy’s husband Johnny in the production but known to most as series regular Ryan Malloy in Eastenders, also agrees (clearly this is a cast singing from the same hymn sheet, hats off to the casting department). “There’s lots that people take away from watching it because Laura’s writing is so deep,” he says. “To be able to first of all laugh at a situation or at characters before you delve deeper into what’s actually going on in their psyches is a really good way to engage an audience and get them thinking about why they were laughing about something.” And seeing as it is a comedy, presumably there is plenty of opportunity for some fun to be had along the way? “Yes. There are so many plays, films and TV series that have delivered a really important message through comedy,” Ransom quips. “In the case of Home, I’m Darling it’s about getting to grips with reality.”
So, we’ve seen the posters, bought our tickets and are sat in the auditorium ready and waiting, what is it that they hope Brighton audiences will take away from the show? “I hope they have a fun night where they laugh a lot and they’re moved,” says McDermott. “It’s everything that theatre should be – taking them on a journey with characters that hopefully they can relate to, in a story that gets them thinking and has them laughing. It makes for a great night out.”
The cast certainly seem to be looking forward to their time at the Theatre Royal. “Brighton is always fun.” McDermott can’t help himself and here perhaps, for once the cast are not necessarily in agreement… “I did the Brighton Marathon last year,” says Ransom. “I won’t be doing another marathon when I’m there doing the show.”
Perhaps that’s for the best. But Home, I’m Darling is certainly a run SOURCE is very excited to catch!
Theatre Royal Brighton, Tuesday 11th April – Saturday 15th April 2023
For tickets and further information click here
Photo by Jack Merriman
