Why ‘Bottle’  Is it a glass container or slang for confidence?

Both. This is a dark, desperate and funny tale about two men. One called Rupert, who is posh and brim-full of himself. The other, Nigel - not posh, but he displays a  classic male trait – obsession. He has sacrificed everything to grow, pick and bottle his own wine at a run down vineyard in Bordeaux.

What do they want? What happens?

Nigel’s dream is dying. Although he has produced an award wining Merlot, he’s broke, the place is derelict and his wife (childhood sweetheart and rock) has had a gutful and gone back to London. He’s close to a breakdown. Enter Rupert, one of the most charming and dangerous men in Europe, who has driven through the night to find his old estranged mate. His mission is to persuade Nigel to return to London to reform their partnership and relive the glory days when they dominated advertising in the late eighties and nineties.

Nigel is desperate, Rupert has behaved very badly and has driven South to Bordeaux via Basildon harbouring a dark sordid secret. Both men have baggage and slug it out… after a few drinks.

Are we supposed to enjoy being in their company for an evening?

Yes. While you wouldn’t want to share a bedroom with either, you will find yourself liking them for all the wrong reasons. We’ve all met – or lived with – men like them. Both have bottle and have been getting away with it for far too long. Until now.

Why should I spend my hard earned theatre and comedy pound with your play?

You will, I hope, be entertained and absorbed by funny characters, dialogue and plot. You won’t find it worthy, issue based or ‘challenging.’

We’ve already tried it out on an odd, assorted bunch who had wandered in off the street. Although I was concerned to see an elderly, distinguished lady in the audience, it turned out that even a grandmother in her seventies found the play ‘classy, funny and totally absorbing comedy drama.’