Are You Ready to Get Sexy?

Reviewed by Marilu Murphy

As Act one begins and before the stage lights up, the air thumps with Ray Charles’s “Hit the Road Jack”. The audience sings along;

Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more
What you say?

Alice, (played by Bernadette Taylor Dolha) is laying flat out on the bed with Henry, (played by Bernadette’s real-life husband, Andrew Dolha), who is trying his best to massage Alice into relaxation. Alice has plans to bring her and Henry’s love life back to the boiling point again – Hot and Sexy! The unmistakable yellow covered dummies book “Sex for Dummies” is close by and open. She’s asking Henry if he’s aroused while she guides his touch to her back and shoulders.

He’s not!

Sexy Laundry is now on stage at Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia.  A comedy about a married couple, it’s one that many in the audience will relate to, for better or for worse.

Alice has put a lot of effort into this weekend. She reserved a posh hotel, provided ambiance with fragranced air, sexy nighties and a will to reignite that spark in to a 25-year marriage. A marriage that produced three kids while busy with each one’s career.  So far, her endeavours aren’t working out so well. Finally, yes finally, there’s a spark of interest from Henry, a subdued engineer. He takes her reading glasses, picks up the book and skims through her marked pages. There may have been a few snickers and giggles in the audience up until they read out loud that they should give their private parts a name. The audience livens up while watching the two coax one another to go ahead and follow the books suggestion. Henry wanted nothing to do with Alice’s suggestion of Frank.  However, Henry’s interest does pique and with arms flailing and beating his chest, he yells out, that his name for his special part would be the almighty Caesar.  The audience roars.

To keep Henry invested in her plans, she asks him about his fantasy after she describes her own which includes two Italian gay waiters. Henry questions, “why gay waiters?”. The audience giggles at her descriptive rendition.  Her face contorts through the emotions as he describes his fantasy. It’s a description of a typical husband from the 50’s, it’s a perfect wife that waits on him and is always happy! He has great kids, a comfortable home, a good job and of most importance, he’s able to watch the news in peace. Henry obviously wants a no-fuss, easy life now. He’s got a bit of anxiety and just wants to chill. Alice, on the other hand, is feeling the need for desire and is fearful that she’s not attractive anymore, now that she’s in her fifties. She feels that she’s always competing against the nightly news for Henry’s attention.

It could be at this time when some of the couples in the audience are elbowing one another as they watch these feelings being portrayed on the stage.

In the second act, their crazy adventures continue with leather, leopard print and lace. The emotions between the two fly high and low as they hilariously battle out their indifferences. Finally, each one looks into their own mirrored reflection and they come to a very important conclusion.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sexy Laundry and most definitely see those same issues that affect us all at one time or another.  Bernadette and Andrew Dohlar were magnificent after the intermission.  They became stronger but more natural and drew their audience into their performance. There were side splitting comedic episodes between the two of them that were almost non stop. One was where Alice tried with all her might to release F-Bombs. Another was where Henry was pumping up his vibe and getting his groove on.

Michele Riml, a critically acclaimed playwright from Vancouver, British Columbia wrote Sexy Laundry after only 5 years of marriage.  Her play became a hit and is in 17 languages playing in Canada, the US and Europe. I found that to be quite fascinating.

I could easily see this performance again; it comes highly recommended.

Sexy Laundry is playing at the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia from August 5 to August 21 at 2pm, and on August 22nd, there is a showing at 7:30pm. You can order tickets online at thevvp.ca or call the Box Office at 1-800-717-7694 or 519-882- 1221.

Photo: Andrew Dolha as Henry and Bernadette Taylor Dolha as Alice in Sexy Laundry. The married couple play a married couple! Photo by Diane O’Dell. 

Sexy Laundry
By Michele Riml
Performed by Bernadette Taylor Dolha and Andrew Dolha
Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia
August 5 to 22, 2025
Reviewed by Marilu Murphy