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2010

Ingredient X

Written by Nick Grosso

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director 
Dominic Cooke

Dates Performed

Thursday 20th May 2010
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs

Play Details

Synopsis

An open-plan flat in contemporary Britain, where domestic chaos mirrors inner turmoil

Frank and Katie struggle to maintain their relationship and family life in the face of Frank’s alcohol addiction. As Frank battles his demons and the legacy of his father’s similar struggles, Katie tries desperately to hold their world together. Their friends Rosanna and Deanne provide both comic relief and added tension, their presence highlighting the couple’s isolation and dysfunction.

Grosso’s realistic dialogue and intimate setting create a claustrophobic atmosphere that reflects the characters’ internal struggles. The play’s structure, centered around the rhythms of daily life in the flat, allows for a nuanced exploration of how addiction impacts every aspect of family dynamics. Through its examination of generational trauma, codependency, and the thin line between support and enabling, the play offers a raw and honest portrayal of a family teetering on the edge of collapse, while still clinging to hope and love.

Director(s)

Deborah Bruce

Cast & Creative

Cast

Lesley Sharp

Cast

Lisa Palfrey

Cast

James Lance

Cast

Indira Varma

Designer

Ben Stones

Sound

David McSeveney

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