Ahead of The Syndicate rolling into Leeds Grand Theatre, we speak to Writer Kay Mellor’s daughter Gaynor Faye, who directed the play, and actors Samantha Giles and Brooke Vincent.
The Syndicate was a family affair long before it blast onto the box in 2012 with a host of famous faces among the cast. Written and produced by “titan of TV” Kay Mellor, her daughter Gaynor Faye, the series script editor, knew it would be another big success for her mum: “I just knew that it was going to be a hit because she captured the brothers, the family, the whole arena of what winning the lottery and such a substantial amount of money brings people – both good and the not so good!
“My mum wrote for people, not accolades. The people who watch her shows, those are the people she relates to, the people she championed and admired. She encapsulated them and showedwhat it is to be a normal everyday person. At times it’s funny, at times its dramatic, or moving, but the key thing is that everyone can see themselves in her characters and that’s why people love her work.”
With a cast including stars like Timothy Spall and Joanna Page, The Syndicate was huge when it aired on BBC One and went on to enjoy success with three more series. The first series has now been adapted for the stage by Kay in what was her final venture into theatre before her untimely death last year. She had already asked Gaynor to co-direct the project with her, and now the actress is going it alone in a move that she confesses has been rather daunting.
Gaynor says: “Mum’s shoes are big ones to fill, but I understand what her vision was for this production because I have been by her side from the very beginning. I’m excited for everyone to see it.” The Syndicate tells the story of five supermarket workers whose lottery syndicate numbers come in just as their jobs and livelihoods are under threat. Will a share of the jackpot make their dreams come true or their nightmares a reality? One thing’s for certain, the win of a lifetime will change the lives, loves, and relationships of the syndicate members forever.
Such is the success of Kay’s writing that her stories have become a hit on the stage as well as the screen with the hugely successful stage adaptions Fat Friends – The Musical and Band of Gold, which, like The Syndicate, were also collaborations between Kay’s company Rollem and theatre producer, Josh Andrews.
For actors Samantha Giles and Brooke Vincent, the chance to work on a Kay Mellor production was too good an opportunity to miss. Brooke, who became a household name playing Sophie Webster in the ITV soap Coronation Street from 2004 to 2019, says landing the role of Amy was a real thrill: “I’ve kind of taken a step back to have my two boys so this is my return to acting and I’m so excited. I love Kay’s work, it’s so real and there’s such a sense of warm northern humour that I just adore.”
Meanwhile Samantha was looking for a new challenge after recently leaving her hugely successful role as Bernice Blackstock in Emmerdale, where she entertained fans on and off over the last 26 years. Talking about her role as kind-hearted worker Denise, the 52-year-old says: “A lot of people are only used to seeing me as Bernice, who is this glamorous person and Denise is the polar opposite! She’s a bit on the frumpy side, life hasn’t been so good to her, she’s just totally different to Bernice which is so lovely to play. I think Kay’s writing is so good, she’s able to create real stories and wonderful characters that people can relate to and reflect how ordinary people live.”
The Syndicate runs from 18th to 28th April at Leeds Grand Theatre Leedsheritagetheatres. com