Gary McNair’s play “A Gambler’s Guide to Dying” enjoyed a successful World Premiere run during the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it was discovered by Cheryl Bry who passed it along Paul Linke who now directs its American premiere at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica. It centers on one boy sharing stories about his granddad who won a fortune betting on the 1966 World Cup and then when diagnosed with cancer, gambled it all on living to see the year 2000.
The one-man play is told in a series of life moments that examine why his granddad chose to continue gambling his way through the circumstances of his life, the play allows us to see that that just because something has never been done does not make it impossible. It’s the challenge of that next big win that keeps his granddad alive, striving for his final big win to leave a fortune for his family. But ultimately, the lesson learned is that to be truly happy, accept that when that’s all you have, make it enough – as the house always wins.
Maury Sterling brilliantly portrays not only the young man and his granddad but every other family member and friend who populate their lives. What is truly remarkable is Sterling is not Scottish yet he authentically shares stories using many Scottish dialects from various regions of the country as well as many other places. I can tell you I was completely surprised after the show when we met and he spoke about the show without the trace of any Scottish accent. It made me appreciate his performance even more.
But is the story real or total fabrication? The playwright never answered that question, which allows each viewer to decide for ourselves whether the young man and his granddad were real person or not. Sterling’s performance will grab you and leave you convinced through his realistic portrayals portrayed that it must be about real people.
It’s not the win but the accomplishment of attaining what seems to be impossible that keeps granddad going, but his final bet to survive until the year 2000 takes him through what he ultimately admits was just too much to suffer. It’s a sad lesson for those who can never truly be satisfied with what they have as being enough. Sounds to me like the perfect description of a gambling addiction; a treacherous road to disappointment often betting everything on totally unrealistic odds, hoping to make a fortune only to gamble it away pursuing the next big payoff, just to prove it can be done. But will enough ever be enough?
Thankfully the play is often light-hearted as Sterling shares the two characters’ loving relationship and respect for each other. Too many problems to face? Just go out and garden for a bit. Or hang out at the local pub where the most interesting mix of characters are brought fully to life by Sterling. And ultimately all we really can do is accept life as it plays out, choosing to remain positive no matter what. After all, the big payoff might just be around the next corner!
“A Gambler’s Guide to Dying” continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. through April 29 at the Ruskin Group Theatre, located within the Santa Monica Airport at 3000 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. Free onsite parking. Tickets are $25 ($20 for students, seniors, and guild members) and can be purchased in advance by calling 310-397-3244 or online at www.ruskingrouptheatre.com