The Syndicate – Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

Writer: Kay Mellor

Director: Gaynor Faye

Following the sad passing of the legendary Kay Mellor, his latest piece is now on a major UK tour. Based on the TV series of the same name,unionexplores the struggles of a group of friends and colleagues who work in a supermarket and what happens when they collectively win a large sum of money in the lottery. Although your reviewer has not seen the TV series, he may still enjoy the play very much. It’s not a groundbreaking drama, but it’s gripping and emotional, with a few chuckles throughout.

Kay Mellor creates characters you feel like you could meet on the street. There is such a variety of personalities represented that the audience is bound to find themselves in the show somewhere. Kay Mellor’s daughter Gaynor Faye takes on her first solo directorial role. She helps the cast effectively find moments of humor, moments of tension, and moments of emotion, and keeps the play moving along at a good pace. Bretta Gerecke’s simple set effectively depicts several rooms in the supermarket, before transforming into an elegant mansion for Act Two. Gerecke’s costumes are colorful, with Brooke Vincent’s Amy wearing wildly outlandish outfits in the second half.

As well as directing the show, Faye appears as Kay (a woman who works for the lottery company, not Mellor!). This is a relatively minor role for her, but she brings a lot of energy to the stage with the amount of time she gets.Coronation StreetBrooke Vincent fulfills the role of Amy in the second half, with impeccable comic timing, but also bringing to life the more sinister aspects of the character very well.Emmerdalestar Samantha Giles completes the headliner trio. She is a joy to watch, personifying the crazy aunt or grandmother that everyone has somewhere in their family.

Leading man Benedict Shaw delivers a powerful performance as Stuart, bringing the character’s paranoia to life wonderfully. Oliver Anthony gives a great turn as Jamie, Stuart’s younger brother. It’s perfectly cocky and wise, and it describes well the negative sides that money can bring out in people. William Ilkley’s Bob is believable and warm, while Rosa Coduri-Fulford gives an emotional performance as Leanne, who may not be all that she first seems.

unionit’s an enjoyable evening with some strong performances, touching on some important themes. It won’t set the world on fire, nor does it particularly need to.

It runs until June 15, 2024.