Tom Cadley, Third Year History, 25/26
As the curtain rises on Starter for Ten at the Bristol Old Vic and the cast belts out ‘University Challenge’ again and again, an unsuspecting audience member couldn’t be blamed for fearing that this new musical is just another screen-to-stage adaptation of a beloved noughties film hoping to cash in on nostalgia and local interest. However, Starter for Ten combines wit and campiness with a real earnestness to create a highly enjoyable new take on David Nicholls’ 2003 novel.
The story follows Brian (Adam Bregman), a bright-eyed first-year English student at the University of Bristol of 1985, as he chases both his childhood dream of appearing on the TV quiz show University Challenge and his ill-advised crush on posh teammate Alice (Imogen Craig).
This is the second time this production has premiered at the Bristol Old Vic, with the updated version streamlining the show into a slicker and even more charming evening, with a new cast and rearranged score.
The show maintains high energy throughout, picking up in the second act as the Bristol team fight to stay in the competition in the thrilling 11 o’clock number ‘The Final Round’. This spirit is sustained by a sharply-written book and lyrics that are repeatedly laugh-out-loud funny, complete with British-isms and 80s references. This makes the more touching moments in the show, particularly when Brian re-evaluates his relationship with his mum Irene (Mel Giedroyc) following the death of his dad in his childhood, particularly moving.
Performance highlights include Will Jennings as the campy team captain Patrick and Miracle Chance as Lucy, whose powerful voice brought the house down in the Act 1 finale. Mel Giedroyc’s return to the production grounds it in familiarity, sincerity and humour, and she lights up the stage both as Irene and as infamous quizzer Julia Bland.
One plot point that differs from both the novel and film is to have Alice force Brian to hear the answer that would result in his inadvertently cheating when the Bristol University Challenge team is close to victory. In the original story, Brian chooses to read the questions of his own accord before the competition begins, so this change removes responsibility from Brian for his mistake and further villainises Alice.
This new musical likely has a bright future ahead of it, so University of Bristol students shouldn’t miss the chance to see Starter for Ten while it is still local to them.
Starter for Ten is running at Bristol Old Vic until 11th October.
Featured Image: Pamela Raith
Will you watch Starter for Ten?
