BBC Radio 4, June 20, 2018

Everyone is free to say what they like… it’s the law…

Gary Owen’s play, the last in the current series of Dangerous Visions, is basically a two-hander between Suzanne Packer as Marian and Connor Allen as her son Jamie with a few interpolations from apparently well-meaning politicians and their ilk, providing wider context for the story. Marian has recognised for years that Jamie is gay, and, although she wants her son to be happy, she wants him to be true to himself. But as she gradually realises, in a society where conformity is everything, that’s not necessarily possible.

There’s a lot of strong material in this, and you may well realise its eventual destination as Owen follows the idea of conversion courses and “praying the gay away” to its logical outcome. There are some harrowing moments, and as with Hugh Costello’s previous play in the season, it’s very firmly rooted in current attitudes and behaviour that works so well because of the committed performances of both leads.

Verdict: A smaller scale Vision that brings the season to a thoughtful close. 8/10

Paul Simpson