Review: Lucky Numbers at South Shields Customs House

When Nana Come To Stay

Lucky Numbers

South Shields Customs House

Until 25^th October 2014

We all love our Nanas. They love us back. What happens when they move into your home as they need your help and support? When they feel they should be in charge but keep nipping to the shops for bread several times in a single day? Or believe the relatives that have long since passed away are still with us? When they disapprove of your husband, and your children?

How would relationships change if Nana scoop £8 million on the lottery?

Lucky Numbers describes such a pickle. Nana Patterson is played by the lovely Pat Dunn, who was recently in the BBC’s sitcom Hebburn, in Mike Yeaman’s clever tale of family friction. Nana is a cantankerous old busy body who sticks her nose into the family’s business in a benevolent way. Jayne Mackenzie plays the daughter who is under pressure to please but never seems to make the right decisions in life. The onstage chemistry between these two great actors helped set up both the laughs and the empathy for the family as the story unfolded.

The audience laughed on many occasions throughout the play as Husband Ronnie, played by Pip Chamberlin, tries to chill out in his own house whilst his son Steven (Michael Addison) plays on his computer games and daughter Lisa (Harriet Ghost) hangs around bus stops as a goth picking up bikers who have yet to actually buy a bike. Michael and Harriet do come across well as a pair of siblings who often pick fault with one another. Pip ensures the husband comes across initially as loving, laidback and, at times, lazy. Michael Strassen has directed a play which keeps the story and chuckles flowing.  

The play was the winner of the 2008 People’s Theatre People’s Play Award and been performed across the world since then in a number of languages. This will be down to, in part, Mike Yeaman’s hilarious script.  It is also funny because the cast present a believable normal dysfunctional present day affectionate family. Pat Dunn’s Nana character, in particular, has a number of traits that the audience could relate to and this helps her get many laughs.

A very funny evening which The Customs House, cast and crew should be justifiably proud of.

Cast:
Pat Dunn as Nana
Jayne Mackenzie as Janice
Pip Chamberlin as Ronnie
Micky McGregor as Mick
Harriet Ghost as Lisa
Adrian Chisolm as Shane
Michael Addison as Steven

Mike Yeaman - writer
Michael Strassen - director

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Tickets

Tickets for Lucky Numbers at the Customs House, South Shields, priced from £14 or £26 including an evening meal, are available now by calling 0191 4541234 or visiting www.customshouse.co.uk

Preview: Lucky Numbers at Customs House, South Shields

Award-Winning Comedy

Returns To The North East

Lucky Numbers

Customs House, South Shields

15 - 25 October 2014.

An award-winning comedy is returning to its native North East after wowing theatre-goers around the world.

Lucky Numbers, which has been staged as far afield as Finland and New Zealand, will be returning to the Customs House Arts Centre, South Shields from October 15 to 25 2014.

The Newcastle-set show, written by acclaimed playwright Mike Yeaman, will star North East actress Pat Dunn as a forgetful grandmother who challenges her family to ‘buck their ideas up’ before she’ll hand over her winning lottery ticket.

Pat, who recently appeared in BBC sitcom Hebburn, originated the role in 2008 and is eagerly anticipating her return to the cantankerous character. 

She said: “Lucky Numbers is such an amazing show. I’m absolutely delighted to be stepping into Nana’s shoes again and can’t wait to tread the boards on the Customs House stage.”

The new production is being brought to the stage by award-winning director Michael Strassen, who already holds a series of accolades, including Best Director and Best Production in the Off West End Theatre Awards, and is currently receiving rave reviews for his work at the Union Theatre in London.

Michael, who is originally from Seaham, said: “I’m honoured to be taking the director’s chair for a comedy caper that is as lively and loved as Lucky Numbers.  “This is a hilarious, warts and all play about the real people of Newcastle, that had me laughing out loud on the first read of the script. And am looking forward to working in my native North East throughout the show’s 10 day run at the Customs House.”                                                                                 

Lucky Numbers, which features a supporting cast of North East actors, is the latest play by writer Mike Yearman to be staged at the Customs House, which also hosted the debut of his comedy Canoeing for Beginners.  

Mike, who currently has six shows in production and pre-production across Europe, said: “I am thrilled to be bringing Lucky Numbers back to the Customs House as the team there have always been supportive of my work.  It's brilliant seeing the plays go down so well with overseas audiences but nothing beats having productions back here at home.  It will be fantastic to know that while audiences at the Customs House are laughing away, there are three other European audiences laughing at the same time!”

Tickets for Lucky Numbers at the Customs House, South Shields, priced from £14 or £26 including an evening meal, are available now by calling 0191 4541234 or visiting www.customshouse.co.uk