My Zinc Bed

A darkly comic look at love and addiction by the author of Amy's View

When struggling poet, reformed alcoholic, and devout Alcoholics Anonymous adherent Paul Peplow interviews the wildly successful, reclusive, and notoriously prickly entrepreneur Victor Quinn, he is in no way prepared for what is to follow. Victor is not only familiar with Paul's obscurely published work but can quote from it liberally; he is also somehow aware of Paul's battle with alcoholism and, without solicitation, Victor challenges Paul with his own confrontational thoughts on addiction, the true meaning of recovery, and what he sees as AA's hidden aga. Victor then concludes their bizarre encounter by offering Paul a job decorating the legend of his fast-growing Internet business. Yet as surreal as all this is, Paul is even less prepared to deal with Victor's seductive wife, Elsa, also a former alcoholic, but one who continues to drink and tempts Paul in ways that rattle him to his very core. Bound to incite discussion and controversy, My Zinc Bed is among David Hare's finest and most insightful plays -- a compelling work which boldly explores the extent to which one person can control the lives of those around him.