Starter for Ten was first performed at Bristol Old Vic last March and in our five star review of the show, we described it as “joyous, silly and hilarious”. For the return of the production in 2025, the same description applies!
Directed by Charlie Parham, Starter for Ten is the coming-of-age comedy musical based on the bestselling novel by David Nicholls and the popular 2006 film starring James McAvoy.
Set in 1985, the theatre show is the story of 18-year-old Brian Jackson who has longed to appear on legendary TV quiz show University Challenge from a young age. His dream finally comes true when he gets onto the University of Bristol team and features on the programme.
Like last year’s show, Starter for Ten oozes 80s nostalgia and there are loads of proper laugh-out-loud moments.
The cast are brilliant with Adam Bregman stepping into the role of Brian and putting in a superb performance. We were also happy to see the return of Will Jennings as University Challenge obsessed Bristol team captain Patrick who, as in 2024, is hilarious.
Comedian and TV presenter Mel Giedroyc is back and wonderful again as Brian’s mum Irene and Julia Bland, the assistant to University Challenge host Bamber Gascoigne. She is at the heart of many of the production’s funniest moments and just one tiny expression change from her leads to many chuckles!
Stephen Ashfield is entertaining as Gascoigne, who pops in and out of several pieces of furniture throughout the show, while Imogen Craig delivers an impressive professional theatre debut as Alice.
Changes have been introduced to this year’s production to make it a slicker and bigger show. The story has been tweaked in places and the set is larger. There are new songs and choreography too.
Starter for Ten clearly has its sights set on London’s West End and the changes go a long way to making that happen. Some of more scrappy moments which we loved last year, such as Mel Giedroyc looking like Margaret Thatcher and interacting with the audience, have been dropped. It’s a shame in a way but we can see why scenes like that were removed as they make it a more polished show.
The lack of Mel’s jokes with the audience aside, Starter for Ten is still one of Bristol’s best theatre experiences in 2025 and we were delighted to enjoy it all over again.
We raise five big glasses of Babycham in its honour!
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Starter for Ten is at Bristol Old Vic until 11 October and at Birmingham Rep from 22 October to 1 November.
Images by Pamela Raith
