Da Vinci's Laundry Review - Green Room Reviews

October 13, 2025

Da Vinci’s Laundry Review

Until 25th October 2025

If you’re looking for a night full of rapid fire wit, then Da Vinci’s Laundry at Riverside Studios is the evening out you need.

A delight to watch, this play takes a deep dive into the world of art, asking questions about authenticity, price, value, and who deserves to own these items that have such huge cultural significance.

“A delight to watch, this play takes a deep dive into the world of art, asking questions about authenticity, price, value, and who deserves to own these items that have such huge cultural significance”

The script is smart, and caters to an audience that both has extensive knowledge of the art world, and those who, like me, aren’t aware of much beyond Van Gogh and Picasso. For the latter of us, there will be jokes that pass you by, but worry not; the next one will be right around the corner to sweep you back up in the cantering pace of this hilarious script.

The story follows Christopher (played by writer Keelan Kember) and Milly (Arsema Thomas); they both work for an art gallery auctioning paintings and are faced with a dilemma when they come across a piece of work by Leonardo Da Vinci. The painting would likely be sold for more than any other painting has before, but the question they’re both asking: is it actually a Da Vinci?

What follows is a joyful cast of characters including the owner of the painting, Boris (John Albasiny), a Russian gangster; Tony (Steve Zissis), a satirical caricature of an American Republican that you just can’t help but cackle at; and the rich and powerful middle-eastern Prince (Fayez Bakhsh). The global cast appears intentional, not just to show the way in which art and power crosses borders, but also to bring out the Englishness of Christopher and Milly. The pair’s blissful British banter exudes that of the middle class, but it’s so hilariously self aware that you just can’t get enough of it.

Kember’s writing has a similar quality to that of Richard Curtis, capturing Christopher as this awkward yet charming man, following in the footsteps of Hugh Grant. It has to be said that Kember’s Christopher was the highlight of the night, with every one of his jokes landing with roaring laughter. Perhaps that’s because, as the writer, he knew how to deliver the lines for the greatest impact, or maybe our British tendencies just lean towards loving a man that is self-depricating and bashful, with lusciously floppy hair.

Milly is the strong-willed woman of the cast and Thomas does a fantastic job of commanding herself on the stage with her poise and confident ease. Albasiny, as Russian gangster Boris, was compelling and uneasy, keeping you guessing with every word, whilst Bakhsh’s Prince was the complete opposite, standing tall and proud to show his obvious wealth and lifestyle of luxury.

Zissis was another standout as the Maga-esque American Tony, perfectly over the top and, despite his questionable – and very stereotypical – tastes, you couldn’t help but love him by the end. My only critique is that I wanted Zissis to take his time a bit more with the dialogue, he really could have savoured some of the excellent lines he had been given, and worked on waiting a beat before the punch line landed.

In terms of the set and lighting, it was a masterpiece in and of itself. The colours of the strip lights during the incredibly slick scene changes were aesthetically stunning – a contrasting palette that filled the blank stage with vibrancy.

Overall, Da Vinci’s Laundry is so much fun to watch. It’s clever, quick-witted, and filled with a motley crew of characters that all bring something totally unique to the stage. If you want to look at art in a whole new way, then this is the show for you.

Da Vinci’s Laundry is running at Riverside Studios until 25th October.