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Lanbury Productions
by John Godber Directed by Michelle Sansom and Keith Ramsey
Greenwich Playhouse
1st – 6th April 2008
A review by Ruth Stanley for EXTRA! EXTRA!
Set in the dog days of Thatcherism, John Godber’s Lucky Sods tells the story of an ordinary couple who become ‘them’ rather than ‘us’. Jean and Morris have been playing the lottery for years; the height of their ambition is a new conservatory. But when six little numbers become six big zeros it changes their relationship, their family and their lives forever. Morris needs to revisit the past whilst Jean tries to move forward into the high life, but both find that money can’t buy you love, and it can’t make you immortal. Thirteen years after it was written this piece sits awkwardly in 2008; this is perhaps because the lottery is much lower in the public consciousness, and, because the dichotomy of rich and poor – whilst no less in reality – has faded as a political issue. The challenge is to rejuvenate Godber’s rich narrative and wry sense of humour with new relevance, but Lanbury Productions struggled to achieve this. The actors’ failure to master their northern accents meant that they also struggled to convey their lines with passion or conviction. Despite this, Amanda Garton’s Jean was well judged, both humorous and touching, and Simon Lowe (Norman) had a knack with comic timing complemented by Janna Dahl’s waspish Annie. But the overall lack of pace meant that the lustre came off the dialogue. Technically the actors were let down by an interrogative lighting scheme that did little to disguise the stark space and was virtually unchanged between cosy living room and wide Dutch landscape. Unfortunately, the well chosen music barely disguised clumsy scene changes. However, some nice costuming touches complemented the characters. The company showed ambition in tackling a tricky play, but ultimately Lanbury Productions failed to show that Lucky Sods still has a relevant story to tell.
Tuesday – Saturday 7.30pm, Sunday 4pm, 10/8 concessions Box Office 0208 858 9256 boxoffice@galleontheatre.co.uk Greenwich Playhouse
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