Cast

Synopsis

The Larkin family live in Kent “somewhere at the end of the rainbow”. Pop, who makes a fortune from various deals but has never paid any income tax, lives in rural idyllic bliss with generous-hearted Ma and their six children. When a young, earnest tax official turns up to investigate, he is bewitched by their eldest daughter Mariette, and soon succumbs to the boisterous Larkin family charm and largesse.

Directors Notes

Welcome to the idyllic rural world of the Larkin Family! Set in Kent in 1957, tonight’s play, The Darling Buds of May, harks back to a more leisurely, peaceful time.
The phrase itself means an appreciation of what is fresh and new and refers to the opening buds that point toward the warm summer season ahead and to the freshness and exuberance of youth as it turns toward adult maturity.
The author H.E.Bates took the title from Shakespeare who coined it in his celebrated Sonnet Number18:
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:

As I wrote this in the sunny second week of rehearsals, the ‘rough winds’ had diminished, and the weather was wonderful, just like this gentle, warm-hearted comedy.

Leading the way is Pop, the quick-eyed, golden-hearted junk-dealer, and Ma, with a mouthful of crisps and a laugh like a jelly! I am sure you all have images of David Jason and Pam Ferris in your heads, but we have two talented actors as our leading characters who will soon make you forget them! On stage with them is a wonderful crop of BLT’s finest – some old, some new! – including talented Kaleidoscope young people as the Larkin children. I am grateful to them all, for their enthusiasm, commitment and sense of fun during rehearsals. That is what this play is all about – FUN and FOOD!!

I warned them at the beginning of rehearsals that they would all gain a few pounds by the end of the Run! I have had an excellent Back stage crew led by Anthony Leach; and the Props team in particular, led by Yvonne, have my heart-felt thanks and admiration for their hard work in this play. Producing fish and chips every night for nine people, boiled eggs, sundry nibbles and the many, many drinks, is no mean feat!

I love this play and it has been a joy to direct. Sit back and enjoy the evening! I hope it rounds off this Season ‘perfickly’ and you go home with a smile on your face!