My Zinc Bed

This oddly titled play is about addiction, mainly to alcohol, but also sexual addiction to the boss’s wife. Exclude addiction from your life, it warns, and you might also exclude real intensity and passion. Directed with particular passion by Mark Kilmurry, this three-hander by David Hare delivers a handsome and unexpected punch.

When depressed Paul (Sam O’Sullivan) goes to interview wealthy internet entrepreneur Victor (Sean Taylor) for a newspaper his expectations are low. Instead of participating in an interview, a routine “as modern and contrived as an 18th century gavotte”, Victor has other ideas. Paul is a published poet, a member of Alcoholics Anonymous on the wagon for over a year, so would he like a job?

Included in this mephistophelean pact is Elsa (Danielle Carter), Victor’s younger Danish wife, a recovering drug addict who brings two children from different men to the relationship.

The scene is set for intense action in the “modernist corridors” of Victor’s House, brilliantly imagined by designer Tobhiyan Stone Feller and lit by Nicholas Higgins. In some of the best-designed scenes I’ve witnessed at the Ensemble, the action goes forward unexpectedly.

When Paul is tempted by Victor to resume his drinking, this releases a creative burst that forms a new book of poems. As sullen Paul, Sam O’Sullivan is nicely contained. We feel his journey.

Sean Taylor is perfect as Paul, the communist-turned-internet boss. His ringing voice asks all the pertinent questions: he seems to have everything in hand, every move covered.

Danielle Carter was born to play Elsa. Silkily attractive, she remains aloof and mysterious throughout, handling Hare’s often-opaque dialogue with aplomb.

The threesome had to return to the stage more often than they expected, such was the volume and intensity of the opening night applause.

Frank Hatherley

Images: Danielle Carter and Sam O'Sullivan & Sam O'Sullivan, Danielle Carter and Sean Taylor. Photographer: Clare Hawley.