My Zinc Bed
Image: Sean Taylor - Photo: Dario Gardiman
“My Zinc Bed is very entertaining. There’s something about playing a victim, the obsession and addiction, people choosing to take control of their own lives,” said Sam O’Sullivan, who plays Paul Peplow, a recovering alcoholic, poet and freelance journalist.
Paul gets taken under the wing of Victor Quinn (Sean Taylor), a self-made software mogul. Victor challenges the nature of Paul’s addiction.
“It poses the questions: ‘is there such a thing as an addictive personality?’ [and] ‘is alcoholism a disease or a choice?” continued O’Sullivan. “The play explores the different types of love, there is frenzied young love as opposed to protective paternal love. Can frenzied love be sustained over time? The different things that different types of love can accomplish. Can it overcome addiction?”
Paul gets introduced to Victor’s wife Elsa (Danielle Carter), who is also a recovering addict. They inevitably form a connection that quickly becomes inappropriate.
“Drama-romance-comedy is the genre. It’s very funny, very intelligent, it’s got a lot of wit in it. People will have a good time watching My Zinc Bed and a good time seeing how we deal with the situations we get ourselves into,” added O’Sullivan.
“What I love about doing plays is it’s true you only get one shot at it on the night, but you also get to rehearse for three weeks, four weeks and really nut out a script and dive into it and find all the different layers. TV you shoot so fast. You get one shot at it, you shoot it and then it’s in the can,” mused Sam, whose recent TV credits include appearances Wonderland and Packed to the Rafters. (MS)
Until Nov 22. Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall Street, Kirribilli. $55-$69. Tickets & info: ensemble.com.au or 9929 0644
BY MEL SOMERVILLE
