By Michael Burnett BBC News Online

Betty, directed by Kathy Burke, has made its West End debut and, judging by the belly laughs in the audience, could be there for some time.

This jolly one woman show, written by Karen McLachlan, tells the captivating tale of a naive spinster's "awakening" after her washing machine goes out of control.

Geraldine McNulty expertly plays the confused and guilty Betty Buchanan who, taken to new heights of pleasure, embarks on a bizarre pilgrimage to rid herself of her addiction to the spin cycle.

McNulty plays the receptionist in My Hero

It may sound like the result of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads walking onto the set of Sex And The City, but Betty's voyage of discovery proves to be an entertaining ride.

Along the way, we are presented with an array of often hilarious characters, including a pant-sniffing priest, a spanking pilgrim and a tour guide looking for more than just enlightenment.

Not to mention a voyeuristic legion of old ladies.

Of course, this 75-minute show is not for everyone - devout Christians and those prudish about sex might want to think about going to a Cliff Richard concert instead.

Kathy Burke is more well-known for her acting

And, while the language is fairly clean, Betty is often about as subtle as a sledgehammer.

A 49-year-old repressed spinster discovering sexual pleasure while doing her laundry may be an amusing opening to a play, but there was a fear that the joke would soon wear thin.

Early on, McNulty also seemed in danger of portraying a stereotype of what a comedy spinster should be.

Could anyone really be that naive about sex in this day and age?

But as the journey progresses, it is impossible not to warm to Betty and her weird world.

Cult success

McNulty, famous for TV roles in BBC's My Hero and Ted And Alice, begins to work her magic in the role she first played at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe two years ago and soon the audience is sucked in.

Given the offbeat nature of Betty, it is easy to see why it became a cult success at the Fringe.

However, the intimacy of the Vaudeville Theatre and Kathy Burke's tight direction has allowed the play to painlessly transfer to the West End.

Burke won critical acclaim for her role in the film Nil By Mouth (1997) but who is best known for her work with comedian Harry Enfield.

The talented actress certainly seems to have picked the right play to make her directorial debut in the West End - Betty's cycle looks set to spin for some time.

Betty is currently running at the Vaudville Theatre, London