Emotionally charged, funny and often moving, Spin Cycle takes a queer meet-cute and develops it into something far more impactful.
When two ex-lovers meet again for the first time at a laundrette, their history is momentarily washed away and they can start with a clean slate. A heartfelt and witty piece that explores love, memory, class and identity, Zofia Zerphy’s script is full of humour, pathos and yearning.
The repartee between the two characters is strong and immediate. There is good use of overlapping text, which could be challenging for an audience, but in this case is clear as a bell and creates a sense of familiarity. You instantly feel invested in these two seeming strangers, and the chemistry between Zerphy’s Kitt and Rhiannon Bell’s Noel is palpable.
Beautifully directed by Bethan Rose, it is hard to believe that this is her theatrical debut. The staging is superb, and the use of stylised movement and the simple set is both effective and affecting. The development of the relationship between Kitt and Noel remains surprising and deeply felt, even as things begin to break down and the reality of their past begins to reveal itself.
Some plays just get you, just demand that you connect with the characters and their story, and Spin Cycle is one such piece. Gentle yet challenging with a warm and engaging relationship at its core, when the circuit ends you will want it to start all over again.
By Deborah Klayman
Spin Cycle plays at Underbelly Bristo Square, Edinburgh until August 31st 2026.