Review of The Syndicate at Norwich’s Theatre Royal: Kay Mellor’s final play on supermarket workers who win lottery with Coronation Street stars is enjoyable and thought-provoking

The Syndicate - Theatre Royal, Norwich

This is legendary writer Kay Mellor’s final play and is very much a family affair as it stars her daughter, Corrie favourite Gaynor Faye, who also makes her directorial debut, and her grandson, Oliver Anthony, joins the cast.

It’s based on the first series of the hit TV show and follows five supermarket workers who win the lottery.

They’ve all got various hang-ups from health worries to financial problems and relationship issues and, just as they are about to be made redundant, their numbers come up.

As you’d imagine, things don’t go swimmingly and we live through their various ups and downs - with plenty of vintage Mellor humour!

The winners are tempted to spend, spend, spend but their pasts start to catch up with them and we find out what we all really know - that money doesn’t always buy you happiness.

The production, which also stars another Corrie household name, Brooke Vincent, has lots of bittersweet layers with themes such as friendship, loyalty, motherhood and love running throughout the piece.

It’s a great story, well told with finely crafted characters which all make for a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking night at the theatre. I just need to start doing my Lottery numbers again!

The show continues until Saturday. Visit www.norwichtheatre.org

Review by Sarah Hardy