The Grammar of Deception

 

Workplace politics can be a treacherous swamp.  When two students in an English College make an accusation of sexual molestation against a staff member, most people are quick to take sides.  But why?  What's the evidence?

 

Broadcast on "Airplay" ABC radio National's drama program in 2008, this story in five voices takes you into the murky world of language, culture shock and stationery wars.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/airplay/the-grammar-of-deception/3200636

 

Sunday 28 September 2008 3:05PM

 

The Grammar of Deception, by Queensland poet and fiction writer Duncan Richardson, is set in an English-Language school catering for foreign students. The drama is told through the voices of five employees at the college: Jacinta (a newly arrived teacher and student liaison officer) Grant (the union rep) Ania (a teacher and Polish migrant) Stan (the maintenance man) and Marion (the college director).

The Grammar of Deception is a darkly comic free-verse play about the current education system, office politics, prejudices, political correctness and hidden agendas.

Duncan Richardson has published short fiction and poetry widely in Australia. His collection of poems Aim At Morning was published by Five Islands Press in 1996, and The Grammar of Deception was shortlisted for the Thomas Shapcott award in 2006.

 

Cast: Annabel Giles, Michael Hill, Dorota Rae, Paul Blackwell and Jacqi Phillips.

Sound engineer: Tom Henry

Producer: Mike Ladd