How To Use A Washing Machine – Edinburgh Festival Fringe – Zoo Southside

How To Use A Washing Machine continues at Zoo Southside – Studio, Edinburgh until 26 August

Star rating: two stars ★ ★ ✩ ✩ ✩

A string quartet is set in front of strings of washing interspersed with photographs with the washing machine alongside the quartet. This two-hander show is about Cass and James, siblings returning to the parental home to pack up their childhoods as their parents are separating.

There’s an awkward atmosphere – these are people who don’t know each other any more. Going through childhood ephemera, James re-imagines his childhood of space travel, cowboys and a ballet tutu. The latter is rather clumsily handled. It’s unclear whether this is intended to be a joke or not. Cass is unkind, almost cruel in her reaction. James elicits some sympathy, but it’s unclear if this is a real dream of his or not. Cass is an angry and isolated young woman, appearing to be frustrated in her life at every level.

The lines of action are often clumsy or perhaps under-considered in terms of taking this show up from the level of a sketch between an estranged brother and sister with little in common any more.

Musically, there are some fine arrangements in the strings although the score could use some variety in tempo and an increased range, particularly for the singing lines. The piece may develop during its run, needing greater interplay between the characters to help elevate the show.

Fiona Orr