Sorry, You're Not a Winner

by Samuel Bailey

Liam and Fletch grew up together. Born on the same street. Best mates since primary. Inseparable. The only difference was while Fletch was getting suspended from school, Liam was studying. And now he's going to Oxford. But with Liam gone, who's going to keep Fletch out of trouble?

Sorry, You're Not a Winner explores aspiration, social mobility and getting caught between classes. It asks: if 'making it' means leaving everything you know and everyone you love behind – what's the point?

This powerful and striking play by Samuel Bailey was first produced in 2022 by Paines Plough and Theatre Royal Plymouth, in association with the University of Plymouth's School of Society and Culture, before touring nationally.

68 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2022

Reviews

[Rodrigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh I reeeeally wanted to love this. And I liked it, the story is very moving and I really felt for the main two characters. I felt like the women were written VERY broadly and sort of didn't feel like people, more like set pieces to move things along and create conflict. When the dialogue is ON it's great and the play cooks but there's a few times where it got a bit too clunky and on the nose for me

[MattThatReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read **first read in 2022**

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful, intimate story about friendship and identity. Some great scenes and monologues, and I really like how things weren’t over dramatised. The simplicity of the ending rounded it off perfectly - it felt very real and we got to understand the characters in a very short space of time.

[Joel Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching play about growing up, moving out, and finding who you are, focusing on the relationship between two young men from Worcester and how their friendship changes.

A simple play but nevertheless very interesting - a good reference point for looking at conflict between friends