Samantha Giles, Benedict Shaw, and Oliver Anthony in The Syndicate.
The Syndicate. The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.
I have to admit I’ve never seen The Syndicate TV series. Not one episode of the four series. So I went into this with fresh eyes. It was created (and written) by Kay Mellor and each series follows a group of people (a syndicate) that jointly enter the lottery on a weekly basis. This stage adaptation follows the storyline of series one.
The “syndicate” all work together in a small Leeds supermarket. We have the downtrodden Denise (Samantha Giles – Emmerdale) who as well as working the till also cares for her bedridden mother, the mysterious Leanna (Rosa Coduri-Fulford) who is obviously hiding something, and Stuart (Benedict Shaw) who works there with his younger brother Jamie (a show-stealing Oliver Anthony who unbelievably makes his stage debut here). Stuart’s demanding and materialistic fiancé Amy (Brooke Vincent – Coronation Street) is pregnant with their second child . Under pressure to find their own place, Stuart concocts a plan with wayward Jamie to rob the store. However, things go dramatically wrong when the manager Bob (William Ilkley) interrupts them, and in panic Jamie hits him over the head with a bottle of whisky. He is rushed to hospital in a critical state and DCI Newell (Jerome Ngonadi) of the Yorkshire police (the scruffiest detective I’ve ever seen) begins investigating. Things are thrown another curveball when the next day Denise arrives at work announcing to the others that they’ve won the lottery. Nearly 25 million between them! However, Stuart (strapped for cash) hasn’t paid his subs for weeks and the lottery representative (Jade Golding) tells them that they need to vote on whether he can claim his share. Problem is, Bob’s in a coma.
It all sounds quite “soap” doesn’t it?! Therein lies a bit of a niggle, it all feels very “TV”. The script (even though it’s written by the late wonderful Kay Mellor) is very conversational and situational rather than theatrical. Also the direction (it was directed by Mellor’s daughter Gaynor Faye) could do with a bit of work and be a bit tighter. Act two does pick up however (post lottery win) and there are many comedic moments – especially with the characters’ new-found wealth.
The cast are great and there are some wonderful performances (particularly Oliver). It’s a cracking ensemble piece. Definitely a worth a watch (especially if you’re thinking of joining a syndicate!).
The moral of the story – money can’t buy you happiness.
Four stars. Great cast, great story. Just needs a few tweaks.
