A young woman learns about malice and manipulation in Mike Walker's drama, set against the backdrop of Cosi Fan Tutte. The editor of a "lad's" magazine proposes a bet to prevent a talented and attractive woman journalist leaving for a better job. He then throws her into situations to ensure he wins.

Choice
In this afternoon's play, listen for the sycophantic braying of his nervous team when Don, the savage editor of a lads' mag, calls a meeting. Helena, his star reporter, reacts icily, asking them to contain their effusions of testosterone as she's wearing new shoes. Playing nasty, underhand Games (2.30pm R4) with her career, Don suggests a bet, involving sending her to a performance of Cosi Fan Tutte with his music critic. Had he been more appreciative of the far-reaching implications of Mozart's plot, his comeuppance would have been much less enjoyable...

Cosi happens to be next week's opera Live from the Met: this evening it's Rossini's sparkling 1813 frolic L'ltaliana in Algeri (6.30pm R3), whose feisty heroine would have a man like Don for breakfast - fried, with a little parsley and lemon. Jennifer Larmore plays Isabella, Paul Austin Kelly her lucky lover. SG