Fingers on buzzers: Bristol Old Vic prepares for world premiere of ‘Starter for Ten’

Set in 1985, David Nicholls’ 2003 beloved coming-of-age novel Starter for Ten, following Brian Jackson’s quest for love, acceptance, and a place on his University Challenge team, was a huge cult success.

Although Nicholls’ book does not name the university, he himself was a student of English and Drama at the University of Bristol. The novel was later adapted into a hugely popular HBO/Playtone film, set in Bristol, starring James McAvoy as the obsessive young student.

For Emma Hall, producer, writer, dramaturg, and co-artistic director of Antic Productions, the story made an immediate, and enduring impression. “I read the book and fell in love with the film before going to university,” she recalls.

“It epitomised everything that I wanted from my student experience in all of its hilarious, unvarnished, frenetic glory. On day one, I met a fellow fanatic – Charlie Parham – and 10 years ago we promised each other that we would try to make David Nicholls’ brilliant story into a musical.”

Starter for Ten cast: (LtoR) Top row: Eubha Akilade, Stephenson Ardern-Sodje, Adam Bregman. Centre row: Miracle Chance, Mel Giedroyc, Will Jennings. Bottom row: Luke Johnson, Gemma Knight-Jones, Emily Lane, Natasha O’Brien, Robert Portal – artwork: Feast Creative

True to their word, the pair have done exactly that. The world premiere of their hugely anticipated new musical, Starter for Ten, directed by Parham, will be arriving at Bristol Old Vic on February 29 for a month-long run.

Hall and Parham have written the book and lyrics, with 80s-inspired music and lyrics from Hatty Carman and Tom Rasmussen. Adam Bregman stars as Brian, with Mel Giedroyc as his mum Irene, and Robert Portal as legendary TV quiz host, Bamber Gascoigne.

Ahead of rehearsals, Hall and Bregman joined Bristol24/7 to share their thoughts about the show, along with Emily Lane, who plays Brian’s unrequited crush, Alice:

LtoR: Emily Lane (Alice), Miracle Chance (Lucy), Stephenson Ardern-Sodje (Spencer), Will Jennings (Patrick), Adam Bregman (Brian), Eubha Akilade (Rebecca) – photo: Oliver Rosser, Feast Creative

What is your personal relationship to the David Nicholls novel and/or the Tom Vaughan movie, Starter for Ten, and how has this informed your character?

EL: “I didn’t know of Starter for Ten before landing the role but I was aware of the upcoming musical that was to be performed at the Bristol Old Vic (a bucket list venue of mine) so I was really hoping for an audition. Luckily I got one for the role of Alice! I watched the movie straight away and absolutely fell in love with the character and the story. I knew immediately this was something I wanted to be a part of. It was funny but also it had real heart which is how I wanted to approach the character of Alice.”

AB: “I hadn’t come across this story until the audition, but amusingly, I’m currently in my final year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – the same school James McAvoy studied acting (he played Brian in the 2006 film version). Passing his pictures on the wall, I can’t help but feel I have a tough act to follow!”

Eubha Akilade (Rebecca), Emily Lane (Alice), Adam Bregman (Brian) – photo: Oliver Rosser, Feast Creative

What attracted you to the project?

EL: “It’s not very often you come across completely brand new projects. It can be a world in which you are given the freedom to try things, collaborate and create from the ground up; a true gift for any actor. I knew straight away in my audition that this job would encourage this very experience. The buzz and inspiration I felt when leaving my audition was enormous. I cannot wait to get properly stuck into rehearsals and revel in a creative room.”

How would you characterise the music within the show?

EH: “The music for Starter for Ten is inspired by the sounds of the early 1980s – raw analogue synths, post-punk guitars, catchy choruses. It combines iconic references from the era – like The Cure, Yazoo, Bronski Beat, Kate Bush and the Smiths – with quick-paced musical theatre numbers. Think the coolest 80s band dude you know, if he had a real penchant for fast, witty general knowledge quizzing.”

AB: “Music embodies joy, sadness, anger, serving as a mood enhancer and cathartic outlet. The composers’ (Tom and Hattie) work – beyond its mindbending integration of niche facts and English literature – beautifully captures the magic of the ’80s sound. It’s a mixtape of the world around and inside Brian and it’s catchy as hell.”

Mel Giedroyc, Starter For Ten – photo: Bristol Old Vic

How do the songs enhance the story and evoke emotions? As a genre, why does musical theatre serve this story so well?

EL: “I think songs in a musical serve to investigate the deepest thoughts and feelings of a character. This can be especially true when the emotions are too overwhelming to simply be spoken. I believe that is the beauty of musical theatre. Alice’s song For the Story is a song in Starter for Ten, which I’m lucky to sing. She tells the dramatic tales of her life and it really opens you to her extravagant world. I think this song will be in every drama student’s rep folder very soon!”

AB: “Musicals hold a special place in my heart, and there’s a vulnerability in releasing your voice into the world. As an audience, you hear something from the character’s core – both literally and metaphorically. As a means to convey emotion, it’s unparalleled.”

EH: “The songs in Starter for Ten drive the narrative, encapsulate and heighten emotion and underscore all the action. We always knew it this story had to be a musical because the novel brims with music on every page. Music defines the emotional trajectory of our protagonists, each of them characterised by their own musical taste. As we hurtle between student parties, demonstrations and the University Challenge studio, music can be found in all the corners of our world.”

Brian Jackson surrounded by his fellow students – photo: Oliver Rosser, Feast Creative

Can you introduce your character, and explain how you go about getting to know and then inhabit them?

EL: “Alice is the most popular girl at Bristol. She lives in the Cotswolds with her family who are part of the liberal elite. Her dream is to become a famous actor. Upon reading the script it became very clear to me the type of girl Alice is and it was obvious there was a lot of fun to be had with this role. Charlie Parham (director) gave me some great inspiration during the workshop weeks to start researching before rehearsals which I cannot wait to put into action.”

AB: “There’s a lot to work out with Brian; just like all of us, he is a mass of contradictions and quirks, incredibly relatable while remaining hilariously specific. The original book is a godsend for an actor; combined with the script and music, it makes my job easy. I’m eager to step into the room and discover my version of Brian.”

Brian Jackson’s NUS card – photo: Feast Creative

How do you think audiences will respond to the show?

EL: “Whether it’s University Challenge, growing up in the 80s, falling in love or the inability of knowing where you truly belong – this story really speaks to everyone. Its comedic bones are unarguable and I’m sure we can expect a lot of laughter from audiences. Marry this with lovable characters, great songs and a relatable storyline – I think this musical has the ability to be something very special.”

AB: “I believe they’re in for a rollercoaster – god, it’s fun.”

EH: “One thing is for certain: audiences will be singing and dancing in the aisles by the end! We are confident that they are going to fall in love with the characters – from our lovesick Southend-born hero, Brian Jackson, to the uber-cool Glaswegian rebel, Rebecca; from campus celebrity, Alice, to the legendary quizmaster, Bamber Gascoigne. To be presenting the first ever production at Bristol Old Vic is sincerely a dream come true, and we cannot wait to bring this unexpected mix of general knowledge and 80s-inspired pop punk to Bristol audiences.”

Starter for Ten is at Bristol Old Vic on February 29-March 30 at 7.30pm, with additional 2.30pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday (no shows Sunday). Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

Main photo: Feast Creative

Read more: Exclusive: Mel Giedroyc joins cast of Starter for Ten at Bristol Old Vic

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