Letters to Windsor House

Housemates Louise Mothersole and Rebecca Biscuit (aka Sh!t Theatre) turn the struggles of living in London into a witty and riotous performance of failure and friendship. Living in a house filled with mould, dirty dishes and letters to previous tenants, they decide to become private detectives, if ones with rather large creative licences.

They turn the tragedy of the housing crisis into a game, thinking up extraordinary reasons for the unusual mail they are collecting. Finding out more than they bargained for about their own living conditions along the way, the piece has serious undertones and potentially bleak consequences. Overlaying the serious threads in the story with dancing post boxes, ironic estate agent videos and disco lights, the urgency and exhilaration isn’t dropped for a second. As they live loop annoyingly catchy songs full of wit and beautiful harmonies, Mothersole and Biscuit throw their all at making this show fun for everyone.

The performance balances on their friendship and chemistry. Moments of tenderness break the madness as they exchange letters and we see how they accept the good and bad of each other, just as they do of their crumbling, possibly illegal home.

While they play, it never feels like they’re just messing around. The title of the company suggests a certain messiness and uncouth attitude, but for this show and this subject matter it’s necessary and fitting. Though Letters to Windsor House has serious undertones, by turning the housing crisis into a big joke, Sh!t Theatre have created a performance of utter joy.