BBC Radio 4, June 18, 2018 

Words have power. Words are power.

Philip Palmer’s two-hander is perhaps the most insidious of the dramas so far in this year’s Dangerous Visions season. It feels meticulous in its creation, with a painful symmetry to its shape, and two incredible performances from Andrew Gower as Lucian, the worker and Pippa Haywood as his supervisor Clare. As one’s vocabulary and understanding increases, the reins of power pass over and both participants’ lives are changed – not necessarily for the better.

Globish, the language that Lucian initially speaks, really exists, and Palmer uses the restrictions of that to contrast with the sometimes florid and sesquipedalian speech that Clare indulges in (and that latter adjective was one I was really hoping would turn up – I wasn’t disappointed). But it’s the use of poetry, and the deconstruction of the language of love that will grab you – before we get into much darker territory.

Director James Robinson and the two actors bring Palmer’s beguiling scenario to life – and I’d love to see this performed live one day.

Verdict: A powerful paean to the word. 9/10

Paul Simpson