RTE Drama On One, May 2013
John Fleming's beautifully structured
morality-play told a tale of Nelson (Emmet Bergin), a report-writer who achieves fame and fortune by writing reports.
In the days of prosperity, when Ireland went through the Celtic Tiger era, Nelson lived the high life, buying fast cars, enjoying
exotic holidays and manipulating others. Now the economy has crashed Nelson has apparently learned his lesson; rather
than writing reports about economics, he has turned to doing good works for the so-called "betterment" of society.
However the play contained one
basic irony: although Nelson claims to have reformed, he has simply learned how to turn his basic talents - to use language
for the purposes of manipulation as well as persuasion - in a changed economic situation. He writes reports that do
not purport to tell the "truth" but communicate precisely what the commissioners want. If they want an upbeat document,
Nelson will be happy to oblige; if they want something more pessimistic, he can provide it with equal facility. He is
nothing more than a sophisticated wordsmith, who tries to take the listeners into his confidence; precisely the same strategy
he employs to entice his clients.
The Invisible Hand Report is the portrait of a highly dangerous person; someone who will always
come up smelling of roses, whatever the economic or political situation he finds himself in.
