Sexy Laundry a fun little romp

DRAYTON – Ooh la la, what an intriguing title for the latest show at the Drayton Festival Theatre.

Sexy Laundry is a racy little two-person show with lots of laughs and some heartfelt moments too.

Alice and Henry are a middle-aged couple who want to bring back the passion in their life, so they decide to book a weekend in a fancy hotel to get things going.

Or rather, Alice decides to book the hotel and Henry is told he’s going, which seems to be common in their relationship. Partly because he doesn’t take a lot of initiative and partly because Alice seems to prefer being the decision-maker. 

This has worked so far in their 25 years of marriage ... or has it?

Alice also brings along the book Sex for Dummies, which is filled with ideas to re-light the fire. They try many things with mixed success – massages, sharing fantasies and thinking of nicknames for their intimate parts.

Instead of successfully spicing things up, these activities cause arguments and dissatisfaction, leading to the age-old question for couples. 

Do you accept your partner the way they are or do you encourage them to change to become what you think is a better person? 

Is Henry wrong because he just wants to come home after work and watch the news, or is Alice wrong because she wants to spice things up a little?

Sexy Laundry touches on these issues in a light-hearted way; it’s a comical romp in every sense of the word. 

Although the entire theme is about sex – having it, not having it, how to have it, when to have it – the show is still fairly tame. But there is lots of sex talk and innuendo, so it’s not suitable for children.

Being a two-actor show, casting is key. 

Drayton has done it again with Jacklyn Francis and Peter N. Bailey as Alice and Henry. 

They convey so much with tone, whether it’s Alice’s enthusiastic sharing of her fantasy or Henry’s exasperation at feeling like he’s never quite good enough.

Francis has an especially poignant monologue about going to the gym as an out-of-shape, middle-aged woman surrounded by young, fit 20-somethings.

The hotel room is the third character in this play, and set designer Samantha Burton has created a beautiful art deco-inspired space, with soft colours, interesting lighting and architectural detail.

Is this too racy for your grandma? The matinee we attended was filled with seniors, chuckling and giggling at all the risqué humour, so take your grandma, your parents, your friends. 

Besides, your grandma has been there, done that, and can probably relate to Alice and Henry as much as anyone.

Directed by Brenley Charkow, Sexy Laundry runs until Aug. 30 with various afternoon and evening shows at the Drayton Festival Theatre.

Call the box office toll-free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866) or online at draytonentertainment.com.