Home, I’m Darling tells the story of Judy and Johnny who are obsessed with the 1950s – the fashion, music, cars, everything.
They bonded over this love and became inseparable, attending retro events with friends Fran and Marcus. Both have good jobs, but one day, Judy quits her high-powered finance gig to become a 1950s-style housewife.
They dive deeper into their retro dream with Judy baking and cleaning while pampering Johnny, trying to recreate simpler times. But even though their home is a 1950s paradise, they can’t escape the modern world.
The cast did a great job overall, and they really knew how to recover if anything went wrong. Though there were a few moments where the flow of the show was interrupted for a second the cast bounced back quickly, they stayed in character and kept things moving. Overall, they handled things well but with a little more polish it could’ve been seamless.
There were definitely a few standout performances that really caught the audience’s attention. These actors brought something special to their roles and added a lot to the overall experience. While everyone did a great job, it was these performances that really left a lasting impression.
Julie MacCoy plays Judy, and she absolutely nails it. She’s no stranger to the Cambrian Stage, having previously played characters like Emily in Love/Sick and Bev in Four Weddings and an Elvis. In this show, her take on Judy—a woman desperately trying to hold onto her fantasy of being the perfect 1950s housewife—is just incredible. Julie really brought the character to life, showing the tension between Judy’s dream of a simpler time and the reality she’s trying to ignore.
Austin Campbell plays Johnny, Judy's totally devoted husband, and he does a fantastic job. This is Campbell's fourth full-length show with Cambrian, and he really inhabits the role. Johnny is completely in love with Judy and just wants to make her happy, even if it throws a wrench into his own dreams. Campbell ably reveals the inner conflict Johnny feels as he tries to support Judy's dream while also seeing the cracks in their fantasy life.
A newcomer to the Cambrian stage, Carolyn Zapf plays Sylvia, Judy’s mom, and she really brings something special to the role. One of the play's most memorable moments is a powerful monologue where Sylvia begs Judy to see reason and let go of her fantasy world. Carolyn handles it with so much emotion, and you can really feel the intensity of the moment.
The set of the play was really impressive overall, though there were a few rough edges here and there. The design did a great job of pulling the audience into the characters' world, with lots of thoughtful details that really helped convey the illusion they were trying to keep up. The cast definitely made good use of the set, interacting with it in ways that added to their performances, but there were moments where a bit more polish could’ve made the atmosphere even stronger. Still, the set was creative and well-thought-out and helped draw the audience in, though a few tweaks could have made it feel even more immersive and in tune with the emotional tone of the play.
Overall, Home, I’m Darling is definitely worth seeing. There’s a lot to enjoy—great performances, a strong concept, and some solid moments that make it really engaging. It’s not perfect, but it still has plenty of charm. If you’re looking for a fun night out, this show is definitely worth checking out before it wraps up. It runs until March 15, so don’t miss it!
“It's a good nostalgic romp. It's pretty deep and it has a complexity to it that I think you don't often see, at least recently in shows around here,” said Campbell after Sunday’s matinee performance. “I think it's a bit different to anything else that's out right now, so it gives you a different flavour. It's exciting that way”
7/10
