In 2003, American writer-director Adriano Shaplin and his Riot Group sprang to prominence with Pugilist Specialist, a fierce look at marines on an undercover mission. Now Shaplin applies his high-octane language to a New York telephone exchange in 1919.
Oppressed operators Lucille and Philippa's working days consist of eating candy, drinking liquor and gossiping - not to mention insulting their two male managers. No wonder there are rumours of efficiency drives and automation.
English new girl June brings with her talk of workers' rights, but Switch Triptych never manages to convince us that these precarious lives amount to more than an intellectual construct.
Shaplin's fearsome linguistic barrier never allows for anything as anti-cerebral as empathy.
Still, Stephanie Viola makes Lucille a credible tyrant of the phones and Sarah Sanford has fun as ditzy Pippa. Cassandra Friend's June remains suitably impenetrable until the overwrought finale pits man - or woman - against machine.
If Shaplin could add emotion to his mastery of language, it would be a winning diptych.
Until 8 October (0870 429 6883).
Switch Triptych
