If all children’s shows were this good we would all be going to see them with or without children. Comedians Bec Hill and Tom Goodliffe have teamed up to create this show all about doing the laundry, a seemingly dull chore which they have changed into something enthralling and entertaining just as easily as they have transformed hackneyed fart jokes into original pieces of wit. If this is what washing day with Tom and Bec is like, I want to live with them.
Finding all the machines in the laundrette full, they are forced to find some way of keeping themselves amused, largely through the use of their baskets of unwashed laundry. In turn they pretend to be chefs, read the news and carry out a medical examination, all with a such a humorous touch that the place was filled with giggles of pure delight. And it is was not just the fart jokes that kept everyone so amused; for adults and older children, there are plenty of other references: to Edinburgh, to the audience and to Lady Gaga.
While it ends up being touching and rather sweet it does so without being cloying, partly due to some beautiful and clever pencil drawn illustrations with movable parts that creates the most charming pop-up books ever. Above all, though, it is just funny to watch childish and mischievous Bec play off lobster-obsessed straight man Tom. They have a great rapport together, especially when things go wrong and their spontaneous interaction with the audience is just what it should be. In fact, they are almost a little too successful at encouraging participation; I got way too into the sorting game, yelling out ‘Delicates’ before the children even get a chance and I’m by no means the only one.
This level of inventiveness demonstrates without a doubt that children’s shows should not be underestimated. Crammed full of puns, pop culture references and jokes about pants it is, well, awesome.
