The Darling Buds of May, Little Theatre Leicester Review
Photo by Dave Morris Photography.Written by Hollie for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review.
Based on H E Bates novels of the same name, as well as the extremely popular TV programme which was broadcast in the 90s, this adaptation of the hilariously funny family show The Darling Buds of May is the latest amateur production at Leicester’s Little Theatre. This perfectly cast group of actors, directed by Mary Jones, burst onto the stage with their humour, family relationships and ice-creams all in tow.
Pop Larkin, played by Andy Longley-Brown, is the ever popular patriarch of the family and reliable neighbourhood farmer. His wife Ma Larkin, played by Zara Cain, joins him and their six children in the family farmhouse close to a beautiful bluebell meadow. The family works hard and they have created the ‘perfick’ family life together.
The relationship between Andy and Zara as Pa and Ma is very natural, and Zara who has recently joined the acting society as a new member, has been cast perfectly for her role as Ma.
For those of you familiar with the TV adaptation from the 90s, starring Catherine Zeta Jones and David Jason, this stage adaptation follows the same storyline and concentrates on the arrival of Mr Charlton, the tax collector, played by Harry Wheeler, to the family home.
Mr Charlton is there to speak to Pa Larkin and fill out forms about his taxes. For somebody who has never paid his taxes, Pa Larkin seems to have quite a few luxuries, such as a Rolls Royce and three televisions! As Mr Charlton tries to get to the bottom of Pa Larkin’s income and work situation, he soon becomes part of the family and quickly becomes known as ‘Charley’ as he gets closer to the Larkin's oldest daughter, the lovely Mariette, played by Laura Heybrock.
For a small cast of actors, the production really comes together and provides you with an evening of laughter and escapism into ‘blumming paradise’ as the Larkin’s would say! The children who make up the Larkin brood are also brilliant and provide lots of sweet and funny moments for the audience. The costumes in this production are absolutely fabulous and reliably represent the 1950s timeframe. The use of dry humour throughout the show is absolutely marvellous and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the show!
The story comes to a close after all of the events that happen on Friday and the family has a ‘heavenly day which is like walking on air.’
Named after the famous Shakespeare line, ‘Rough winds do shake the darling buds of may,’ will the buds of may be shaken by the arrival of Mr Charlton’s visit or will new relationships blossom?
If you would like to find out then ‘The Darling Buds of May’ continues its run at The Little Theatre in Leicester until Saturday 6th July 2024.
★ ★ ★ ★
