There’s no denying Kay Mellor’s capacity to put in writing a drama. with TV hits Band of Gold, Playing the Field and Fat Friends and stints writing for Coronation Street and Brookside, to call just a few, her pedigree is sort of unmatched. Her appreciable capacity to put in writing relatable and plausible work about working class lives is evidenced by enviable viewer figures and a raft of awards.
However, an identification disaster as to what it needs to be, means The Syndicate, primarily based on her 2012 BBC collection is a peculiar watch.
Simply it’s the story of a gaggle of Northern store staff who win massive on the lottery. There’s Bob (William Ilkley) avuncular retailer supervisor, dog-loving Denise (Samantha Giles) middle-aged with an sad husband at house, southerner with a secret Leanne (Rosa Coduri-Fulford) and pair of brothers, golden boy Stuart (Benedict Shaw) and lairy Jamie (Oliver Anthony). The store the place they work has been taken over by a bigger firm and plans are to demolish the shop. With joblessness added to innumerable different private issues, a few of the group search alternative routes to safe their futures.
As the drama unfolds, the again tales are revealed and the implications of each their actions and successful massive bucks are revealed. There are parts of comedy, social, ethical and crime drama stirred into the combination. The downside in packing all of this into 100 minute operating time is an unevenness in tone. The characterisations are, in some instances, overtly caricatured, whereas others are wracked with angst and all share the identical stage. None are developed three-dimensionally and the writing falls into cliché and predictability, finally tying up the story threads with the inevitable cash doesn’t purchase you happiness ending.
There are some stand out performances, William Ilkley is heat and loveable as Bob, preventing some seemingly insurmountable issues with typical Northern stoicism and Mellor’s grandson Oliver Anthony. right here in his stage debut, because the completely repulsive Jamie exhibits promise for a shiny appearing future.
The potential of the difference of this much-loved and lauded TV present to stage is unfulfilled, all of it provides as much as a undemanding night on the theatre however you may’t assist want it might have been a lot extra.
Runs till 6 July 2024
