The Syndicate, UK Tour (2014) Review

Written by Roni for Theatre and Tonic.

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review.

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Stage versions of popular films or television shows are often thought of as a sure bet – there’s a known captive audience, and the familiar name alone will draw audiences in. There is, however, a risk factor to such productions, in that they have expectations to live up to. As The Syndicate tours theatres around the country, can it hit the jackpot with audiences who loved the story on their television screens?

The Syndicate is the first stage adaptation of Kay Mellor’s well known TV drama which ran for four seasons on BBC One between 2012 and 2021. It follows a group of colleagues in a supermarket who are all down on their luck in one way or another. Desperate to get his hands on some cash, assistant manager Stuart agrees to help his feckless brother Jamie stage a robbery of the store’s petty cash. However, things go from bad to worse when another of their colleagues gets caught in the crossfire and suddenly a fake robbery becomes a potential murder charge. When their lottery numbers come in, it appears that all of the group's problems will be solved… won't they?

Unfortunately, the show does not quite live up to its full potential, which feels like a real shame as this is the last of Mellor’s plays following her death in 2022. The writing is impeccable – the characters are understated and believable, with a script full of Northern charm and grit. However, a spark has been lost in translating this show from screen to stage, and it’s hard to truly put a finger on what that is. There is a definite lack in production value here – for example, the lack of mics on the cast means that ‘projection’ is often just ‘shouting’, which detracts from some of the more heartfelt lines. There are also moments of heavy, quite jarring loud music that are thrown into scenes in a way that feels unnecessary. This could be a lovely piece if the production elements were levelled out so that it felt less like a pantomime at points.

The cast are (mostly) a breath of fresh air in their portrayals as ordinary, working-class people who find themselves in a completely new world. Special mention must go to Benedict Shaw for his wonderful performance as Stuart. He has perfectly captured the idea of a man on the edge and leaves the audience feeling desperately sorry for his well-intentioned character. Oliver Anthony is disgustingly smug as Jamie, riling up other characters and the audience alike. It can be difficult to play a convincingly unlikeable role, but for Anthony, this appears to a walk in the park. An honourable mention too to Jerome Ngonadi as DCI Newell, a firm audience favourite. His lines provide some of the only comedic relief in the show, and his timing and delivery are delicious.

Overall, the show is perfectly enjoyable, especially for fans of the show or Mellor herself. It has a gripping storyline and script which is thankfully well delivered by the cast, but is let down by the overall feel of the staging and some production choices. Nevertheless, this feels like a fitting final stage show for Mellor, and Gaynor Faye should be applauded for this continuation of her mother’s legacy.

On UK Tour until 27 July 2024.

 ★ ★ ★