In the 21st century, strategists help candidates shape their campaigns by finding out what voters really, really want. Methods may change over time, but fundamental means and aims remain the same. In this sense, “the new real” of David Edgar’s title is the same as the old real and the most important question is still the hardest to answer. Who really benefits from the election: ordinary people, or only power players and brokers?
A pair of American consultants – Larry and Rachel, once a team, now in ideological conflict – become involved in the national elections of a country formerly under Soviet influence when Liudmilla, campaign manager for Petr, approaches them. Will they help her candidate, struggling against the undercover operations of their powerful neighbour?
