one4review | On 07, Aug 2025

There the shape a story underpinning this show, and it took me several hours post-show to parse it out. The story is doled out between hilarity in little snippets and slightly obscure allusions that need to be reconstructed, along with other elements, to get a sense of what’s going on.

It wasn’t possible to do this during the show for reasons of being either helpless with laughter at Ms Barton’s hysterical antics, or heartsore at her pleas for help. Ms Barton (Mary Foppins) can quell insubordination or nonsense with a raised eyebrow, and she can reduce the audience to tears of laughter when she loses control of her own. And after riding the highs of such comedic gold as folding a fitted sheet correctly and sorting laundry, she leaves the audience stricken with utter despair until we figure out how to help. This is clowning raised to another level, but also waving a hand at a point about who does the cleaning.

An advisory note about the audience participation precedes the show, along with a way to opt out. No-one invited did, but it’s reassuring to know it’s there: you can sit on the front row and enjoy an excellent view without worrying. It’s worth it to see the whole affair in its glorious poking of boundaries and utter slapstick silliness, all while maintaining the appropriate decorum (and consent).

Brilliant.

Reviewed by Laura
17:25 (1hr)
Underbelly Cowgate (Dheli Belly)
Until 25th (not 12th)