"Home I'm Darling" by Laura Wade.

Nottingham Lace Market Theatre.

In "Home, I'm Darling", we're transported back to the 1950’s. Judy is in her fifties style dress, heels and coiffured hair preparing breakfast for her husband Johnny. On the immaculately clean surface(s), their marriage seems perfect – they themselves are “disgracefully happy” they announce to each other.  It's clear from the start that this kitchen sink drama, and the domestic goddess image Judy works hard to maintain, that we are going to witness some kind of change to this idyllic oasis and we watch in anticipation as things slowly begin to unravel by the end of the first act.

Act two comes as a real surprise as we start in a flashback scene which then gradually gets darker as the story is updated. But is there anything that Judy can do to dig herself out of the situation that she has created for Johnny and herself?

There are many questions that arise as you watch this play regarding gender stereotyping and, if any, how time has changed the roles, and the way that these are viewed, in a relationship.  In the end though, the play is still about love and marriage and how to work through the hard times and find a way to stay happily together, and maybe a little fantasy in a marriage isn't always a bad, or good thing, depending on how you view the term "fantasy".

I can remember really enjoying this play when I first saw it last year, and this production reminded me why I enjoyed it. Not sure if it has anything to do with it, but both productions I've now seen were directed by women.

Judy is played by Sally Eaton. The TV shows and stories we see and read about concerning the ideal 1950's woman are all upheld. Greeting her hard-working husband each evening, after he has come home from the office. She greets him with a drink, removes his shoes and warms his slippers while preparing their tea, after a day of cleaning the house. After a short time we see that this is not an idyllic middle class couple from the 1950's.

Sally looks the part, sounds the part and acts like the little woman chained to the kitchen, but this is all a facade, and it's not long until we also find out that this "fantasy" life is just that; a fantasy.

Johnny is played by Jamie Goodliffe. There are a couple of subtle clues given by the character, and subtly executed by Jamie where the speech and delivery is concerned. I don't want to give anything away, but subtle works so well in many of the situations, but not with all the characters!

Fran is Judy's best friend is played by Emma Smart. Emma and her character drive home the obvious clues to the "mystery" at the start visually. Some of the darker issues in the second act are thanks to the revelationary script for Fran, and that is just the start of an offshoot storyline which winds its' way back as a possible resolution for Judy.

Marcus is Fran's husband and played by Christopher Mercer. I am so used to seeing Chris in a comedy role that playing Marcus is like a slap across the face. Being the flexible actor that Chris is though means that you get a sudden shock factor and his portrayal of Marcus makes you really feel uncomfortable, as it should do. I am sure that at the bows at the end, I heard someone "boo", and that in itself shows that Chris, as Marcus, has done the job requested by the story and by the Director.

I had actually forgotten the intensity and dark character Marcus is, but Chris's ability to make my jaw drop was not the only actor and character that did this.....

Sylvia, Fran's mother, who is not a fan of Judy's lifestyle choices, is played by Cynthia Marsh. I love seeing Cynthia on stage but as Sylvia she shocked me.... by dropping the "F..." bomb. Cynthis is one of the sweetest ladies at the Lace Market Theatre, and when you're not expecting language like that in the middle of a marvellous monologue, in the second act from someone like Cynthia, is another jaw drop moment. Sylvia delivers some raw home truths to Fran in the same scene. 

Alex, Johnny's new boss, is played by Ali Lit. Johnny is expecting to move up in the estate agency business but Alex is not sure about his potential, so Judy and Johnny's fantasy future dream could well become a nightmare, depending on Alex's decision.

Directed by Payash Raslan, assisted by Sammy Whitworth. A good Director can add to a good play and I noticed a few additions to this production, and when you have seen previous productions of any piece of theatre, you notice those little additions and changes. From the opening scene it's like you're watching one of those sitcoms from way back when complete with canned laughter and clap tracks in appropriate places. These laughter and clap tracks soon diminish, showing us that the story is gradually getting more serious. What I also loved was the old TV/radio commercials which were used to great effect at the change of scenes, setting us smack bang in the 1950's settings again.

This is Payash's directorial debut at the Lace Market Theatre and I loved the fact that the actors that she had cast are possibly known for very different acting roles, making those of us who have seen these actors on stage in previous theatre pieces sit up and take notice. I have seen Payash in plays like "A Sudden Violent Burst Of Rain" at the start of this year, so I know that she is an equally talented actor as well as a Director.

Set Design is by Steph Nichols, and is another brilliant set, something that I always expect, and is delivered at the Lace Market Theatre. The set is a split set and looks amazing. Tie the splendour of the red and green split set with the props, by Jamie Clay, and you could be mistaken for stepping back in time by about seventy years or so. I loved the old TV set and the refrigerator are gorgeous. Also take a look at the stylish tea set pieces and the containers for the tea and coffee in the kitchen area.

Costumes are by Sally Oxland and Judy's wardrobe is a combination of the flowery and flowing dress style of Doris Day and the red sensibility of Betty Crocker, both names synonymous female characters from the fifties. 

Sound Designer is by Gareth Morris. Every single sound stab and effect is perfectly timed along with the retro commercials and at the perfect sound levels. Nothing more I need to say after using the word "perfect".

Lighting Designer is by Allan Green. As with the sound design, but it's nothing less than what I have come to expect from this theatre, and exactly what is delivered for every production. With the stage being split into the kitchen/diner and the living area, the lighting reflected this split, highlighting the area at the specific times.

The Stage Manager is Gill Scott and Assistant Stage Manager Holly Cooke. The Production Crew at the Lace Market theatre really know what they are doing, so again it's no surprise to see that this area of production is also up to the high standard we've all come to expect.

This may be a play that you've not heard of, and I know that some people don't like to spend money on little known plays, but this one is worth the money; not just because of the quality of the cast and production crew, but also because of the brilliant writing by Laura Wade. 

"Home, I'm Darling" is at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre until Saturday 1 November.