Cast

Synopsis

Jean and Morris can’t believe their good fortune when they win the national lottery. The dreams which have sustained them for 50 many years can now be realised. But Jean’s dreams are not shared by Morris, who hankers after what might have been, and Jean’s continuing lucky streak seems destined to make the situation worse. John Godber’s compassionate observation makes his characters into real people, frail and uncertain under the pressure of wealth too large to comprehend or manage, whilst his wit sharpens the tools they use to attack each other.

Directors Notes

Morris and Jean never seriously expect to win the National Lottery. When they do, to the tune of £2 million, they cannot believe their luck. Their lives are irredeemably changed by the windfall. The question is, for better or worse? John Godber’s brutally funny play was first presented by the Hull Truck Theatre Company at the Spring Street Theatre, Hull, then on tour and at the Hampstead Theatre in 1995, before being staged at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, and the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough. This is the first amateur performance of the play in the region. A survey of National Lottery winners shows that- 65% of the population over 16 play every week. The average Jackpot win is £4 million on Wednesdays and £9 million on Saturdays. The odds on winning the Saturday Jackpot is 1 in 14 million. 91% of major winners said that their win had not changed them, as a person. On average major winners give away 14% of their win, including 5% to Charity. Half buy a house. They invest 51% of their money and leave only 21% in a bank account. Over half of major winners are still working after their win and 90% continue to play the Lottery.