Writer: Zofia Zerphy
Director: Bethan Rose
Reviewer: Christine Stanton
“Wishy Washy“
3 / 5
All Kitt and Noel wanted to do was get their washing done, but one spin cycle later and the pair are butting heads, airing their dirty laundry and trying to avoid the romantic chemistry fizzling between them.
Initially, the laundrette serves as a bit of a meet-cute for the pair, who shyly interact with nervous flirtation. Noel (Rhiannon Bell) isn’t used to doing the washing, their ex was always in charge of that, so the launderette is unchartered territory. Kitt (Zofia Zerphy) on the other hand knows all the tips and tricks – the technique for the dodgy door, the right settings to use and the environmental push for liquid detergent over pods being a passionate frustration of hers. As they wait for their washing and start to get to know to each other, they slowly start experiencing an odd sense of deja vu.
Both Kitt and Noel work in the arts field, Kitt living on her family inheritance, and Noel having to graft after being disowned when they came out many years ago. Distant memories spark questions between them. Do they know each other? If yes, why can’t they fit the puzzle pieces into place? And, if no, why do they seem so familiar to each other? Either way, there’s a lot of attraction, tension and intrigue between them, so is this a parting goodbye to close out their chapter or the start something new and exciting?
Part romance, part sci-fi, part soap opera – Spin Cycle is aptly a little bit wishy washy in what it offers the audience. The chemistry between Zerphy and Bell is great, they bounce off each other fantastically, and make their characters believable and enjoyable to watch. The storyline however, is less engaging. It starts out interesting, confident remarks mixed with nervous flustering is comedic and endearing. But, it slowly veers into more complex territory – and the storyline struggles to balance both the concept and the chemistry in the latter half of the show. Grievances are aired and their past is hung out to dry, but it all happens so quickly, and with little integration into the wider plot, that the varying ideas and themes mentioned just feel a little bit forced, and exclaimed out of nowhere.
There’s no real explanation or culmination to the mystery of history that they may or may not have, that give the audience any answers, leaving us to work out our own theories on the plot. It’s an ambitious idea, that definitely has potential, but needs a bit of a stronger vision to fully take hold.
Runs until 12th October 2026
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