Ingredient X

On a Saturday night, the judges of a televised talent contest are about to take over the screen, but the sharpest critics in the room are the ones on the sofa. Frank, a recently recovered addict, is joined by his wife Katie and Rosanna, their neighbour, who is hooked on the show. What starts with football and easy chat soon turns into rows and confessions.

Frank is trying to hold on to his recovery while others openly doubt him. Rosanna is consumed by anger at her husband, who once put cocaine ahead of his family. Deanne is an alcoholic, and Katie has become addicted to the addicts in her life. The play follows how these habits damage the characters' lives and relationships, and how they struggle to get through each day while temptation keeps circling.

Nick Grosso, who wrote the hit plays Kosher Harry and Real Classy Affair, has written a character-driven piece full of biting, dark humour, where hard truths are hidden beneath fast, sharp dialogue. The result is a tough, abrasive new comedy about different kinds of addiction in modern life, ranging from a television talent show to Class A drugs.