As an avid spin class avoider myself, I entered the Pleasance Courtyard with combined curiosity and scepticism about a play performed entirely on, and with, a spin bike. And yet it is here, under the bricked curved walls of Bunker Two, and a neon pink fluorescent sign spelling out ‘Sweat’, we the audience are inducted into the cult-like world of spinning. I quickly learnt that its core principles are pedalling to the EDM-pop beat and daily mantras, such as “You don’t need an invitation to be brave!” and “More oxygen is more life!”. Let’s not forget the more ominous of the bunch, “Are we having some fun yet?”
Spin Cycles is a punchy, witty, one-woman show that packs a lot of heart at its centre. A story about a young woman who joins a spinning revolution to both avoid and come to terms with her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, Spin Cycles uses a mixture of hilarious imagery, snappy jokes, and moments of true tenderness to map her journey to and through grief. South African actress Jamie-Lee Money is expertly able to find and connect with her audience despite portraying a character that is not entirely likeable and whose avoidant, self-destructive behaviour is both questionable and deeply relatable. Larica Schnell’s direction holds Money as she delves deeper into the swelling thump of pop music and the growing pool of grief that threatens to drown her.
The greatest challenge for Money is finding the right pace at which to deliver the story. This was mostly due to the technical aspects of the show. At times, the music was too overpowering, dismissing the nuance within the script. The lighting too seemed to be hindering Money’s ability to drive forward the narrative, which overall weakened the performance.
Having said that, all the puzzle pieces are there: the spin bike is an interesting concept that implies a certain fast-paced rhythm, the dry wit laced throughout the script is biting and funny, Money is an undeniable talent and at the base of it all is this aching honest grief. Hopefully, as the Fringe continues, Money will be able to settle into the saddle and drive this narrative forward with the energy and force a play like this requires. And, although I will certainly not be riding any spin bikes on my own accord anytime soon, it will be a joy to watch Jamie-Lee Money on stage again, and hopefully soon!
Spin Cycles marks both Jamie-Lee Money and Larica Schnell’s Edinburgh Fringe debuts and is running at the Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Two from the 2nd to the 28th of August at 12.20.
Link to tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/spin-cycles
Image Courtesy of Alex Cameron, Provided to The Student as press material.