Home, I'm Darling
Home, I'm Darling is a play by Laura Wade.[1]
| Home, I'm Darling | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Laura Wade |
| Characters | Judy Alex Johnny Sylvia Fran Marcus |
| Date premiered | 25 June 2018 |
| Place premiered | Theatr Clwyd |
| Original language | English |
Plot summary
Judy and Johnny lead a 50’s lifestyle, clothes, décor, appliances. She stays at home while Johnny works as an estate agent. He hopes for a promotion. He realises they have financial problems; the house might be repossessed. Three years earlier Judy had taken voluntary redundancy, but the money has run out. He is underperforming at work and doesn’t earn as much commission. He says he isn’t happy. They need to change. He gets a promotion, but it will involve a long commute. They agree to compromise.
Production history
Theatr Clwyd/National Theatre production
The play made its world premiere at Theatr Clwyd from 25 June to 14 July 2018, before transferring to the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre, London from 24 July to 5 September.[2][3] The production was directed by Tamara Harvey and starred Katherine Parkinson as Judy. On 31 August, National Theatre artistic director Rufus Norris stepped in to play Johnny after Richard Harrington was left indisposed.[4]
After the original production, it transferred to the Duke of York's Theatre in London's West End from 26 January to 13 April 2019, before embarking on a UK tour to the Theatre Royal, Bath, and The Lowry, Salford, before returning to Theatr Clwyd.[5]
Australian productions
The play made its Australian premiere at the Melbourne Theatre Company from 20 January to 29 February 2020 at the Southbank Theatre, The Summer, directed by Sarah Goodes and starring Nikki Shiels as Judy.[6]
A production at the Sydney Theatre Company opened at the Drama Theatre at the Sydney Opera House in from 6 April to 15 May 2021, directed by Jessica Arthur and starring Andrea Demetriades as Judy. It was originally due to open in April 2020, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic the production was postponed.[7]
UK Northern Tour 2021
The play made its regional debut in the UK in a production directed by Liz Stevenson, in a co-production between The Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, The Octagon in Bolton and Theatre by the Lake in Keswick. The production was in the round, the first time the play had been performed in this configuration.[8]
Cast and characters
| Character | Clwyd/National (2018) | West End/Tour cast (2019) | Melbourne (2020) | Sydney (2021) | UK Tour (in the round) (2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Judy | Katherine Parkinson | Nikki Shiels | Andrea Demetriades | Sandy Foster | |
| Alex | Sara Gregory | Izabella Yena | Kirsty Marillier | Sophie Mercell | |
| Johnny | Richard Harrington | Richard Harrington (West End) Jo Stone-Fewings (Tour) | Toby Truslove | Anthony Taufa | Tom Kanji |
| Sylvia | Sian Thomas | Susan Brown | Jane Turner | Tracy Mann | Susan Twist |
| Fran | Kathryn Drysdale | Siubhan Harrison | Susie Youssef | Chantelle Jamieson | Vicky Binns |
| Marcus | Barnaby Kay | Hywel Morgan | Peter Paltos | Gareth Davies | Sam Jenkins-Shaw |
Awards and nominations
Original UK/West End production
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK Theatre Award[9] | Best New Play | Laura Wade | Nominated |
| BroadwayWorld UK Award[10] | Best Actress in a New Production of a Play | Katherine Parkinson | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Laurence Olivier Award[11] | Best New Comedy | Won | |
| Best Actress in a Play | Katherine Parkinson | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Susan Brown | Nominated | ||
| Best Set Design | Anna Fleischle | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Nominated | |||
| WhatsOnStage Award[12] | Best Actress in a Play | Katherine Parkinson | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actress in a Play | Sian Thomas | Nominated | ||
References
- ^ Haynes, Natalie (4 July 2018). "Home, I'm Darling review – cupcakes, cocktails and fetishising wifeliness". The Guardian.
- ^ "Richard Harrington cast in National Theatre and Theatr Clwyd's Home, I'm Darling | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ^ "Home, I'm Darling, National Theatre review: Well worth a ticket". The Independent. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ^ "Rufus Norris steps in to star in Home, I'm Darling at the National Theatre | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
- ^ "Cast joining Katherine Parkinson in the Home, I'm Darling West End transfer announced | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
- ^ "Home, I'm Darling". www.mtc.com.au. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
- ^ "Home, I'm Darling". Sydney Theatre Company. Retrieved 2020-07-26.
- ^ "Theatre by the Lake announces Home, I'm Darling revival and plans to reopen this autumn". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
- ^ "2018 UK Theatre Awards nominees announced | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ BWW News Desk. "Shortlist Announced For The 2018 BroadwayWorld UK Awards; Voting Now Open!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (2019-03-05). "2019 Olivier Award Nominations: London's Company and Come From Away Lead the Pack". Playbill. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
- ^ "Hamilton leads 19th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards nominations | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2020-12-03.