THE stage version of hugely successful TV series The Syndicate is powerful stuff with a simple message that is cleverly delivered. 

On at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton until Thursday (May 16) as part of a UK tour, it is 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?

I won't give away what happens but one thing is for certain, the win of a lifetime changes the lives, loves and relationships of the syndicate members forever.

Wirral Globe: Production shot of 'The Syndicate', which is at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton until Thursday (May 16)Production shot of 'The Syndicate', which is at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton until Thursday (May 16) (Image: courtesy of Floral Pavilion Theatre)The cast - Samantha Giles, Gaynor Faye, Brooke Vincent, Oliver Anthony, Rosa Coduri-Fulford, Jade Golding, William Ilkley, Jerome Ngonadi, Benedict Shaw and Connor James-Ryan - do a fantastic job taking us on a roller-coaster ride through the highs and many lows of their characters' lives after the win.

Wirral Globe: Production shot of 'The Syndicate', which is at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton until Thursday (May 16)Production shot of 'The Syndicate', which is at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton until Thursday (May 16) (Image: Claire House)Running at just under two-and-a-half hours (including interval) it features fine comic performances, some darkly comic moments and highly emotional scenes.

For me, the play's message was 'money doesn't always buy you happiness'.

It was a play with few scene changes, but due to one or two sound issues some parts of the dialogue were lost.

The play's money-themed soundtrack included Money's Too Tight To Mention, Money (That's What I Want).

Wirral Globe: Production shot of 'The Syndicate', which is at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton until Thursday (May 16) Production shot of 'The Syndicate', which is at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton until Thursday (May 16) (Image: courtesy of The Floral Pavilion) Written by "titan of TV" Kay Mellor, the series was a huge hit when it aired on BBC One and went on to enjoy success with three more series.

'The Syndicate' was written by Kay Mellor. It was a family affair long before it blasted onto the box in 2012 with a host of famous faces amongst the cast. Kay's daughter, the actress Gaynor Faye, was the series script editor.

The first series has now been adapted for the stage by Kay in what was her final venture into theatre before her untimely death two years ago. She had 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. 

Tickets for the show are available here: https://www.floralpavilion.com/event/the-syndicate/