Based on the famous BBC television series The Syndicate has arrived at the Leeds Grand as part of a nationwide tour. Having not been familiar with the show I was slightly unprepared for what to expect – though with such a strong calibre of talent involved there was no reason for any uncertainty.
The comedy drama comes indeed with good credentials: the play was the final one to be written by famed Yorkshire playwright Kay Mellor and is directed by her daughter Gaynor Faye who also stars in this funny, gripping and ultimately enjoyable theatrical masterpiece.
The Syndicate
The Syndicate follows five Yorkshire supermarket workers whose lottery syndicate numbers come up, just as they are in danger of losing their jobs with their livelihoods under threat. But the reality of winning a £24mn jackpot is not always as rosy as it might seem.
Denise (Samantha Giles) and her co-worker Leanne (Rosa Coduri-Fulford) seemed destined to spend the rest of their working lives stuck behind the supermarket counter, whilst shelf stackers Jamie (Oliver Anthony, who is Faye’s son and Mellor’s grandson!) and his brother Stuart (Benedict Shaw) had a plan to rob the supermarket of its cash takings in the process nearly killing manager Bob (William Ilkley). With the robbery going belly up, everyone’s misfortunes are turned around by the news of the lottery win.
All the characters in this highly amusing play were believable, particularly Oliver Anthony’s portrayal as the egotistical Jamie, and Benedict Shaw’s role as the conscientious brother, Stuart. The friction between the two of them became apparent as the play developed, as there’s a secret which unfolds.
William Ilkley brought a warm-hearted northern touch to the proceedings: Bob the supermarket manager just wants a quiet life, with retirement in the horizon his character was like a grandfather one, watching over and guiding his colleagues with his experience, often with a comical touch.
Gaynor Faye as Lottery publicity manager Kay came across as a bubbly, enthusiastic and a thoughtful character, attributes that easily apply to Faye’s stage adaptation of this much-loved television programme.
Special mention too for Brooke Vincent who plays Stuart’s wife, Amy. Better known for her portrayal as Sophie Webster in Coronation Street (where at times she can come across as a little wooden), in The Syndicate she has plays the character’s razor-edge sharpness and suspicious mind to perfection.
A gripping play
The stage set changes from supermarket store in the first half to the more palatial surroundings of a new flashy house that has been rented. Although the future might look bright for the two brothers, there’s still the unfinished business of an attempted murder of supermarket boss Bob, with police detective Newall (Jerome Ngonadi) on the war path.
There are many twists and turns in this gripping play, though you will have to discover these yourself. Tales of hardship turned into joy and vice versa, with the usual relationship ups and downs (we were rooting for Bob and his girlfriend Annie, played by Jade Golding)!
Cleverly sequenced between the scenes are snippets of music from artists such as Simply Red, Pink Floyd and Madonna that all pertain to money (can you guess the songs?)
As the bills of money cascade from the stage ceiling, the ultimate message we were left with was that money can’t buy you friends or happiness, but I’m sure that if you buy a ticket for this riveting drama, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.
A huge Yorkshire joy from start to finish.
At the Leeds Grand until Sunday 28 April
