Robert Glenister stars in this compelling corporate thriller about a self-made property tycoon who sets out to build a brand-new London skyscraper.

Property magnate Max Silver is in trouble. His West End properties are starting to crumble, his assets are turning into liabilities, and his business empire's on the rocks. With the company in danger of going under, he shakes up his property portfolio, ditches his shiftless partner, Larry, and brings his brother Teddy and daughter Zara on board.

Then the Lord Mayor of London asks him to build an iconic skyscraper in the heart of the capital - a 1,000-ft state-of-the-art tower that will show off London to the world, and be a defiant new national symbol. With an eye to his family's future - and his personal legacy - Max agrees, and with the help of high-profile architect Katalina, the Hourglass is born.

But it soon begins to look as if this prestigious project will never get off the ground. From planning permission to political opposition, the obstacles pile up - and when his legitimate funding is suddenly withdrawn, Max is left at the mercy of shadowy forces. As old scores are settled, and new enemies emerge, he will need all his charm, ruthlessness and deal-making skills to avoid the many traps put in his path by big business - and by sheer human folly....

Written by acclaimed dramatist Paul Sellar, this gripping full-cast drama takes you on a roller-coaster ride through the cut-throat world of international commerce, via corruption, intrigue, dodgy finance, kidnapping and intimidation. It stars Robert Glenister as Max, with Catherine Cusack, Katherine Press and Sean Baker.

Written by Paul Sellar

Directed by Jessica Dromgoole, Jonquil Panting and Sasha Yevtushenko

Cast

Max Silver - Robert Glenister

Carol - Catherine Cusack

Teddy - Sean Baker

Zara - Katherine Press

Katalina - Daphne Alexander

Kolo - Buom Tihngang

Larry/Kevin - Paul Hickey

John/Gavin - Shaun Mason

Maryam - Susan Jameson

Sasha - Andrew Byron

Clem - Vineeta Rishi

Angus - Nicholas Murchie

Asha - Nokukhanya Masango

Fadi - Alexander Devrient

Rory - Jonny Holden

Jack - Ben Crowe

Zoe - Tife Kusoro

Sunil - Bhasker Patel

DK - Sagar Radia

Karakas - Chris Pavlo

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 2-5 September 2019