Created by Berserk Theatre
Directed by Bethan Rose
Review by Eve Nugent
Clover at Underbelly, Bristo Square
What will you do with your 50 minutes? Kitt asks Noel beside the washing machine in the laundrette as their mixed cycles begin. Will you go and buy eggs? No. They both decide to stay.
From this deceptively simple premise, Spin Cycle unfolds into a tumultuous dissection of the past as the duo slowly come to realise this is not the first time that they have met: they keep ending up at the same junction, trapped in a pattern they cannot quite explain.
Through their conversation, Kitt and Noel discover that they used to date one another, yet neither seems to properly remember – as they piece together the facts, old wounds keep resurfacing. It is this unique premise that shapes the rest of the play as the exes, quite literally, air their dirty laundry. Then, in a Groundhog Day-like twist, they forget each other again, and the intense encounter repeats itself…
Despite some moments of cliché writing, Zerphy’s script nevertheless demonstrates a welcome commitment to sapphic representation, in particular in its exploration of dating as a non-binary person. Managing somehow to be both stripped back and over-the-top, the show is ultimately about two people trying to understand each other.
Actors Zofia Zerphy and Rhiannon Bell have excellent chemistry, and both characters feel distinct and well defined. Directed by Bethan Rose, the production makes effective use of the small space at Clover at Underbelly, although the sweltering venue made for a somewhat uncomfortable viewing experience. The supernatural element is also left unexplained, resulting in an ending that may leave audiences disappointed. Whilst the show has considerable potential, built around a strong central idea, unfortunately its clumsy execution prevents it reaching its full promise.
Considerable Potential
Spin Cycle runs Venue 26, Clover at Underbelly, Bristo Square at 18:15
Running time – Sixty minutes
Review by Eve Nugent (contact@corrblimey.uk)
An undergraduate French student at the University of Edinburgh, Eve has a diverse interest in theatre and performance. Her primary devotion is acting, predominantly at Bedlam Theatre with her fellow students, but also with French group ‘Les Escogriffes’ who perform annually at the French Institute of Scotland.
Her creative attention stretches also to classical music, as she enjoys playing the flute, piano and guitar. She thus looks forward to watching whatever the Fringe has to offer, irrespective of genre!
