Gaynor Faye Archives - North West End UK

10Jul

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Syndicate – Hull New Theatre

Hull New Theatre was far from full on Tuesday evening, as it hosted the world premiere of Kay Mellor’s stage adaptation of The Syndicate, a BBC TV series that ran for four seasons. As the curtain rose, a realistic stage setting showing the interior of a small supermarket greeted us, giving a colourful first glimpse of proceedings. Manning the till is Denise (Samantha Giles of Emmerdale fame), a motherly figure who dutifully collects the lottery money each week for the syndicate she and her four co-workers have joined. While Denise goes about her business serving customers, single mum Leanne (Rosa Coduri-Fulford) half-heartedly sweeps the floor. This peaceful scene is interrupted by the arrival of shop manager Stuart (Benedict Shaw) who rushes in, barging into the manager’s off...

12Jun

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Syndicate – Sheffield Lyceum

We all dream of the big lottery win but The Syndicate at the Sheffield Lyceum just falls short of hitting the theatre jackpot. Written by the supremo of creating relatable characters Kay Mellor completed the writing of this just before her death in May 2022. The Syndicate is directed by her well known daughter, Gaynor Faye, who also plays Kay, the Lottery representative. One winner from this production is the set and costume designer Bretta Gerecke. The first Act set is the shop building the characters are employed at and has multiple playing areas that allow for mood and tone. It is full and detailed and effortlessly transforms into the more clinical house interior of Stuart’s swanky new home in Act Two. A definite nod to the loss of comfortable familiarity to a harder less embracing new...

20May

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

The Syndicate – The Lowry

Can you imagine winning the lottery and becoming a millionaire overnight? Well… you’ve got to be in it to win it! Written by the late, great Kay Mellor, The Syndicate is based on the hit BBC series of the same name. Critically acclaimed, Mellor was renowned for her string of hit television dramas, such as Band of Gold, Fat Friends, Playing the Field and of course The Syndicate. Her sharp, true to life writing of ordinary people, usually set in the North of England, have been much loved by us all over the years. The stage adaptation of The Syndicate follows five supermarket workers (Denise, Bob, Jamie, Stuart and Leanne), each with their own story to tell and, perhaps predictably, all with reasons for needing money. Their jobs are all in threat as the supermarket is set to close and ...

15May

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

The Syndicate – Floral Pavilion

Have you ever wondered what it would be like, if you won a share of £24 million? For fans of the late, great Kay Mellor’s television series ‘The Syndicate’ this is the perfect chance to see a new version of the show, created especially for the stage. A story that follows previous series, but with different characters and twists along the way. We are introduced to Denise, Leanne, Jamie, Stuart and Bob who work at a local supermarket, that has just been bought out by a larger chain. In typical The Syndicate style, Stuart is late on his payments for the staff syndicate, and this is mentioned on numerous occasions throughout the first act. Brothers Jamie and Stuart are both struggling for money – Jamie for drug-related purposes and Stuart due to his expanding family. They decide to rob the...

19Jan

By Katie LeicesterNo Comments

North West

Looking Good Dead – The Lowry

The absolute stunning Lowry Theatre hosted Peter James’ stage adaptation of ‘Looking Good Dead’ starring Adam Woodyatt and Gaynor Faye as Mr and Mrs Bryce a family caught up in this crime and thriller script. Peter James is a best-selling author best known for his crime fiction novels and the creator of the much loved Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, he has achieved global book sales of over 21 million copies which have been translated into almost 40 languages. Peter James was born in 1948 in Brighton, so it seems fitting that his script location is that of his hometown. I must be honest I have not read any of the books in the Roy Grace series or watched his two feature-length film adaptations ‘Grace’ on television which seemingly attracted over seven million viewers, so my revie...

7Sep

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Looking Good Dead – Leeds Grand Theatre

When crime authors like Ian Rankin and Val McDermid sell squillions of books it seems odd producers insist on sending out creaky old stage versions of novels written in the middle of the last century. So, thank God for Peter James who is another of those crime superstars - selling 21 million books of his Roy Grace novels worldwide - who has worked out there is an appetite for stage versions featuring the troubled south coast detective. This time Grace is investigating a couple of bizarre murders that seem to be linked to the suburban Bryce family. It all starts when Father Tom brings home a memory stick he says he found on a train, which proves to contain something gruesome that puts his wife Kellie and teenage son Max in danger, and it’s up to Grace to solve it. James acts as p...

Full Casting Announced for World Premiere of Looking Good Dead

10Jun

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Full Casting Announced for World Premiere of Looking Good Dead

As rehearsals begin this week, Peter James and producer Joshua Andrews are delighted to announce full casting for the World Premiere stage production of the Peter James best-selling novel “LOOKING GOOD DEAD”. Joining the previously announced award-winning EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt as Tom Bryce and TV and Stage star Gaynor Faye as Kellie Bryce will be Harry Long as Roy Grace, Ian Houghton as Jonas, Leon Stewart as Branson, Gemma Stroyan as Bella, Luke Ward-Wilkinson as Max Bryce, Mylo McDonald as Mick and Natalie Boakye as Janie. With rescheduled dates confirmed, “LOOKING GOOD DEAD” is now set to open at the Leicester Curve on 1st July 2021 ahead of a major UK tour. www.peterjames.com Adam Woodyatt is the longest serving cast member in “EastEnders” having appeared continuousl...

Gaynor Faye joins Adam Woodyatt in Looking Good Dead

11May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Gaynor Faye joins Adam Woodyatt in Looking Good Dead

Peter James and producer Joshua Andrews are delighted to announce that following her recent starring role in BBC1’s hit series of “The Syndicate”, TV and Stage star Gaynor Faye will play Kellie Bryce in the World Premiere stage production of the Peter James best-selling novel “LOOKING GOOD DEAD”. Gaynor joins previously announced award-winning EastEnders star Adam Woodyatt as Tom Bryce. With rescheduled dates confirmed, “LOOKING GOOD DEAD” will now open at the Leicester Curve on 1st July 2021 ahead of a major UK tour. www.peterjames.com Gaynor Faye played the role of Megan Macey in “Emmerdale” for seven years. She is also well-known for playing Judy Mallett in Coronation Street and most recently played Cheryl Armitage in the BBC1 drama “The Syndicate”. Her many other TV credits ...