In his late twenties, Ruben Guthrie, a talented and successful Creative Director at a cutting edge advertising agency, is living the high life. He’s living with his super sexy Czech model Zoya and most nights he’s out on the town getting drunk and stoned, Things go awry when, in a drunken stupor at an awards night, Ruben takes a spectacular leap off a hotel roof into a tiny swimming pool, seriously injuring himself. The ramifications are huge; his girlfriend Zoya moves back to Prague, and his mother drives him to his first A.A meeting.

With Ruben Guthrie Brendan Cowell presents one man’s funny, sad and authentic personal journey. One of our finest young dramatic actors, Toby Schmitz gives a terrific performance as Ruben.

Samantha Reed impressed in her professional stage debut as Reuben’s temperamental girlfriend Zoya, who doesn’t want to take on Ruben’s issues.Megan Drury gave a fine performance as Ruben’s main ally, Virginia, who for a time, replaces Zoya in Ruben’s life.Veteran stage performers Tracy Mann and Lex Marinos play Reuben’s nondescript parents, Peter and Virginia, who aren’t helpful to their son’s cause. Christopher Stollery plays Reuben’s boss Ray, a yuppie who is concerned that Reuben’s going clean will seriously undermine his creative genius. Torquil Neilson played Reuben’s gay friend, Damien, who is always trying to seduce him.

Cowell doesn’t wear any rose coloured glasses in Ruben Guthrie. One of the toughest scenes is when Reuben backslides and has a debauched night with his friend Damien, and ends up being admitted to hospital. Cowell keeps the play open-ended; the audience doesn’t quite know what will become of Ruben Guthrie!