Stroke of Luck

(Paperback)

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Description

Shortly after the death of his wife, Lester Riley, an invalid who has suffered a premature stroke, announces to his three estranged middle-aged children that he is getting married again to his young, sexy Japanese nurse. His children are also shocked to learn that Lester has saved an enormous amount of money from his secret life as the exclusive television and radio repairman to a Long Island Mafia family. To stop the nurse from getting this surprise inheritance they must stop the marriage. They try every trick in the book: legal, religious, psychological and in the case of one son criminal. But they fail; or do they Lester, it seems, has a few tricks up his own sleeve. Stroke of Luck is a dark comedy that explores the themes of greed and guilt, how to reunite families that have been driven apart, and how debilitating physical ailments do not necessarily mean diminished mental faculties.

Reviews

This witty and affecting first play . . . [is] a mordantly comical look at a dysfunctional clan: a Long Island King Lear with more kindness and less death . . . It's wonderfully moving . . . "All men are cremated equal" indeed. * The Times *
This delightful comedy presents the estranged children of recently widowed stroke-victim Lester Riley trying to find ways to stop their father from marrying his young Japanese nurse ... is engaging, entertaining and funny. * British Theatre Guide *
proves there is nothing like families and the prospect of money to make for a gripping drama. * Daily Telegraph *
hilarious entertainment for a dreary February evening and gives plenty of food for reflection. * Islington Gazette *
a timely and very funny new play that feels light, but provides breadth on the subject of families and death. * Monkey Matters Theatre *
Larry Belling's script is incredibly funny ... But there is a softer, sadder undercurrent at work: a lamentation on the loss of esteem between the old and the young. * London Magazine *
has the unmistakable bush of a fine old wine and wisdom to match ... A fresh family drama with a twist ... with plenty of rude jokes ... A pleasant surprise. * whatsonstage.com *
Stroke of Luck proves both darkly comic and genuinely touching * Guardian *

Author Bio

Larry Belling has been a press agent for Broadway shows and films, a writer/producer of award-winning radio commercials in London and Los Angeles, a narrator of documentaries for the Discovery Channel, the BBC and a writer/editor of communications for Europes largest computer services company, Capgemini. Larry Belling's first play, Nurse Lily was showcased in New York starring Stacy Keach and Eli Wallach. Retitled Stroke of Luck it premiered at the Park Theatre, London in January 2014.