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Review: Starter for Ten, Bristol Old Vic – ‘A goosebump-inducing, ovation-provoking triumph’
Starter for Ten, an unexpectedly goosebump-inducing, ovation-provoking triumph, is the latest opus from Antic Productions. It brings Mel Giedroyc to the stage with a cast so commanding that even Paxman would struggle to feign indifference.
Reworking David Nicholls’ cerebral yet heartfelt novel narrating the unlikely convergence of love and University Challenge into a musical is a stroke of genius. Set in 1985, Brian Jackson, played by the charmingly nerdy Adam Bregman, leaves home for Bristol University with the lifelong hope of starring on and winning University Challenge.
The story confronts intellectual pursuit, love and loss all whilst poking fun at every trope and tribe at university from repressed conservatives and guitar-playing hippies brandishing placards stating: ‘EVERYTHING IS WRONG”, to zealous anti-Thatcherites and American nerds studying abroad.
Mel Giedroyc (Julia Bland) and the Challenge Team in Starter For Ten
Already a distinctive narrative in itself, this production does what so many musicals fail to: justify its means. The original score is both lyrical and dramatically essential, each number heightening the emotions of every moment. Will Jennings, in his stiffly buttoned blazer and beige knit, embodies the repressed, posh team captain, delivering every hit with wit, winning theatrical bonus points in abundance.
Asha Parker-Wallace’s haunting vocals as second love interest Rebecca (clad, inevitably, with the requisite Doc Martens of any self-respecting 1980s radical) lift the night from a trivia contest to a masterclass in heart. The music alone would warrant the excursion; matched with performances of such conviction, the result is both cohesive and compelling.
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Adam Bregman (Brian) and Starter For Ten company
If their catchy numbers weren’t testimony enough to the cast’s skill, their recovery from a technical hitch on press night certainly is. Midway through Brian’s late arrival to class, the curtain falls abruptly, leaving the crew to announce a pause, owing to technical difficulties. Minutes later the scene begins anew, with Brian no longer tardy from feigning over-exercise in front of his crush, instead apologising to his teacher for “technical difficulties”.
Imogen Craig, in bright skin-skimming attire, as the purposefully ditsy love interest and UC team-mate, Alice, seizes the moment with a perfectly timed opener: “Well this is going to be a disaster!”, to knowing laughter from the audience.
Starter For Ten company
For the Picture Round: the staging charmingly echoes the ‘double-decker’ effect familiar from University Challenge with one team perched on a raised platform behind another. From songs chorally built around the quiz-show refrain of “Nominate Lurcher” to stirring dialogue in university halls, the stage design is calibrated to elevate every facet of the performance to a masterful level.
As the lights shift from the glare of the Paxman-occupied studio to the gloom of student digs, clever costumes also play their part: frayed jeans and tucked shirts anchoring the aspirations of our protagonist in everyday student reality.
Mel Giedroyc as Julia Bland
Mel Giedroyc scores the most points as Brian’s mother Irene, subtly stirring yet slyly comic as the Essex widow. She grounds the more outlandish and fervent of student antics and emotions in something more universally human. Giedroyc demonstrates her ease with pathos as well as punch, ensuring her spot at the top of the scoreboard.
Starter for Ten proves to be more than an honourable adaptation of Nicholls’ novel. Lifted by a universally excellent cast who never faulter and, on the rare occasion they do, recover with even greater grace, the production is complemented by a score in which each song is worthy of its own accolades. It hits the Bristol Old Vic with no passes, no penalties and a final score an Oxbridge team captain would envy.
Starter for Ten is at Bristol Old Vic on September 10-October 11 at 7.30pm, with additional 2.30pm matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday (no shows Sunday). Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
All photos: Pamela Raith
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