Rehearsal photography has been released today for new British musical Starter for Ten, which will have its world premiere at Bristol Old Vic from 29 February – 30 March 2024. Based on David Nicholls’ novel and the cult 2006 film, Starter for Ten is produced by Antic Productions, Bristol Old Vic, Longshot Films and Playtone, with book and lyrics co-written by Emma Hall and Charlie Parham, Artistic Directors of Antic Productions.
Adam Bregman plays the Southend-born, Bristol-bound undergraduate, ‘Brian Jackson’ (Sing Street, Huntington Theatre; Bar Mitzvah Boy, Upstairs At The Gatehouse). Mel Giedroyc will play the role of Brian’s mum, ‘Irene Jackson’ (The Crown Jewels, Garrick Theatre; Company, Gielgud) while Robert Portal (The 39 Steps, West End; The Boy Friend, Menier Chocolate Factory) takes the role of legendary quizmaster ‘Bamber Gascoigne’ and Gemma Knight Jones as ‘Professor Bowman’ (Come From Away, Phoenix; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, West End). Making her stage debut, Eubha Akilade as ‘Rebecca Munro’, Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as ‘Spencer Lewis’ (‘Spike’ in Rock Follies, Chichester Festival Theatre; ‘Simba’ in Disney’s The Lion King and Hamilton, Cameron Mackintosh Ltd), Miracle Chance as ‘Lucy Davies’ (The Witches, National Theatre), Luke Johnson as ‘Des’ (The Light Princess, National Theatre; Close-Up, Menier Chocolate Factory), Emily Lane as ‘Alice Harbinson’ (‘Anna’ in Frozen, West End), Natasha O’Brien as ‘Mrs Harbinson’ (Aspects of Love, Mamma Mia!, both West End) and Will Jennings in the role of ‘Patrick Watts’, (Les Miserables, The Mousetrap and Avenue Q, all West End).
The 80s-inspired original score and lyrics are composed by queer, pop-punk composers Tom Rasmussen (who toured across the UK in 2023, and supported Rina Sawayama and Self Esteem on tour with their debut album, Body Building) and Hatty Carman.
A music video for ‘Touched by an Angel’’, the first track to be released from the new musical, can be viewed here: Starter for Ten | ‘Touched by an Angel’ Music Video – YouTube
Starter for Ten will be directed by Charlie Parham, choreographed by Shelley Maxwell, with set and costume design by Olivier Award-nominee Frankie Bradshaw, sound design by Gregory Clarke and casting by Will Burton for GBC.
Fingers on buzzers! Here’s your Starter for Ten…
What is eighteen-year-old Brian Jackson’s proudest achievement to date? His A-level results. His idol? Kate Bush. His lifelong dream? To compete on legendary TV quiz show University Challenge. It’s 1985 and, leaving Southend to start his first year at Bristol University, Brian soon discovers that falling in love and growing up take a lot more than general knowledge…
Featuring an irresistible original soundtrack inspired by the riotous student scene of the 80s, Starter for Ten is a bright, big-hearted coming-of-age comedy about love, belonging and the all-important difference between knowledge and wisdom.
