29 Sep 2026
Lesley Cowland is at the Abbey Theatre for Company of Ten’s take on a classic…
In a world that is full of uncertainty who wouldn’t want to step back in time to the seemingly simple years of the 1950s? This is what Judy and her husband Johnny agreed to do some three years ago. Their house in Welwyn Garden City is filled with genuine 1950s furniture, kitchen appliances, wallpaper and they both dress in the fashion of that time. Judy is the housewife, while Johnny the wage earner dons his hat and leaves for the office every morning.
On the surface they seem blissfully happy, living the Doris Day/Rock Hudson movie romance. Real life outside the home moves on and when reality kicks in, is Judy going to be able to continue in this sweet, sugar-coated life?
Beccy Baird’s set design was excellent, and the production team should be applauded for creating a two level house complete with bedroom, living room and kitchen. The details of the set created a 1950s family home: from the brightly patterned wallpaper in the sitting room to the authentic kitchen cabinet and even a record player, all plain and simple with no fancy gadgets.
The main character, Judy, is a challenging role as she is on stage virtually the whole time and has to portray an array of emotions. It is her interaction with the other characters which drives the highs and lows of the story.
Amy Wedgewood did a grand job and congratulations to her for learning a difficult script. She created a believable woman desperately trying to live like a 1950s housewife in the early 21st century and holding on to the dream of being a happily married couple despite the subtle changes in her interactions with the other characters.
The relationship with Johnny is key to this play and Bruce Taylor, with his soft accent and gentleness, portrayed the right amount of light and shade, temper and love in his scenes with Judy. He is struggling to maintain the deceit of living a lifestyle with which he is no longer so comfortable. Johnny is working in the real world where he is hoping for promotion.
Hayley Morson’s performance as Judy’s long-time friend Fran, provided a nice foil to Judy’s sweetness. The blend of wonder at how Judy is a perfect housewife she would like to imitate, but that is mixed with a knowledge that she certainly wouldn’t be able to live her life in the same way.
Angel Candrea as Marcus, Fran’s husband, plays his first major part which was well done. However, a little more volume and diction would have helped his performance, especially in his scene with Judy.
Sylvia, Judy’s mother, cannot understand why her daughter wants to revert to the 1950s.
Suzanne Brower gave a great performance showing contempt for Judy’s lifestyle choices when her generation had fought hard to move away from the stereotypical housewife. She showed believable anger yet care for her daughter. Her tirade against the “simplicity” of the ‘50s was well delivered.
Claudie Crowther in the role of Alex, Johnny’s new boss, provided a real contrast as the slick, determined, business woman not understanding the 1950s vibe at all!
There was a good choice of 1950s music between the scene changes, which was a useful distraction as some of the set changes were a little too long. Absolutely this would be due to costume changes, but it would have been better to keep things simpler and quicker to keep the momentum of the story.
The wardrobe department, Katherine Reeve and her team, provided an authentic range of ‘50s style outfits which enhanced the fantasy they were creating.
As a first time director, Dee Tidy produced an interesting and entertaining play. She did well to bring out the nuances in Laura Wade’s complex script showing the differences between old and new values.
