Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms from Netflix favourite One Day? We hear you, and have just the tonic. Sign up for your next David Nicholls&#8217; hit with <a href="https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/starter-for-ten" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starter for Ten</a>, a big-hearted show at the atmospheric Bristol Old Vic, based on his 2003 novel and 2006 film.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Starter-For-Ten-company-3820.jpg" alt="your starter for 10" class="wp-image-93864" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Starter-For-Ten-company-3820.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Starter-For-Ten-company-3820-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Starter-For-Ten-company-3820-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Starter-For-Ten-company-3820-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Starter-For-Ten-company-3820-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Antic Productions artistic directors Charlie Parham and Emma Hall have engaged the lightness of touch, wit and feel for period detail that hallmark Nicholls’ coming-of-age novel, and transformed it into an energetic new musical comedy, packed with 80s nostalgia.



It’s 1985 and 18-year-old Brian Jackson (a charmingly dishevelled Adam Bregman) is leaving his Southend home for Bristol University, armed with a bin bag of clothes, a childhood dream to appear on University Challenge and the hope to be taken seriously, possibly by using the word “utilitarian”.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Adam-Bregman-Brian-and-Starter-for-Ten-company-1038.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-93851" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Adam-Bregman-Brian-and-Starter-for-Ten-company-1038.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Adam-Bregman-Brian-and-Starter-for-Ten-company-1038-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Adam-Bregman-Brian-and-Starter-for-Ten-company-1038-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Adam-Bregman-Brian-and-Starter-for-Ten-company-1038-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Adam-Bregman-Brian-and-Starter-for-Ten-company-1038-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Adam Bregman (Brian), and company</figcaption></figure>



In Bristol (and yes, the book was actually set there) the students Brian meets include Glaswegian activist Rebecca (Eubha Akilade, the voice of an angel) and beautiful sloane Alice (Emily Lane, also, belting voice). They mix into a motley crew of tribes; quirky nerds and dim rugby boys á la Mean Girls in one of many pop culture nods, which include Alice’s dance homage to Madonna’s Material Girl video.



Composers Hatty Carman and Tom Rausmussen have created a distinctive original soundtrack inspired by the 80s, from synth-y intros to sensitive acoustic ballads. And to create a totally new musical that holds its own? Well props to them.



Shelley Maxwell’s witty choreography deserves a mention. There is simply so much high-energy action, with great attention to detail, that even if you take young ‘uns who don’t get the 80s references they will be amply entertained. Every member of the 12-strong cast (they double-up and move fast &#8211; it feels like so many more!) is a strong physical comedian, totally giving it their all for every minute.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Luke-Johnson-Emily-Lane-Natasha-OBrien-3525.jpg" alt="your starter for ten" class="wp-image-93856" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Luke-Johnson-Emily-Lane-Natasha-OBrien-3525.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Luke-Johnson-Emily-Lane-Natasha-OBrien-3525-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Luke-Johnson-Emily-Lane-Natasha-OBrien-3525-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Luke-Johnson-Emily-Lane-Natasha-OBrien-3525-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Luke-Johnson-Emily-Lane-Natasha-OBrien-3525-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Luke Johnson, Emily Lane, Natasha O&#8217;Brien</figcaption></figure>



An inventively economical set by Frankie Bradshaw keeps them (and us) on our toes as desks swivel into competition panels and a sofa is simultaneously in a student pad and in Brian’s home (trust us, it works).



The star of the show, however, has to be Mel Giedroyc. Yes, her off the GBBO. Camp physical comedy, combined with a natural warmth, well, we think we’ll be seeing a lot more of Giedroyc on stage. Playing multiple parts, from Brian’s adorable mum, to a Margaret Thatcher-esque quiz exec, she’s hilarious and eminently watchable. And we can exclusively reveal that she was supported on her opening night by BO mates and sometime West Country residents Sue Perkins and Mary Berry, accompanied by comedy legend Dawn French.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Mel-Giedroyc-as-Julia-Bland.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-93858" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Mel-Giedroyc-as-Julia-Bland.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Mel-Giedroyc-as-Julia-Bland-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Mel-Giedroyc-as-Julia-Bland-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Mel-Giedroyc-as-Julia-Bland-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/03/Mel-Giedroyc-as-Julia-Bland-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



In spite of being new work with some awareness of British class issues and lack of education funding, this is a kind of traditional, old school musical. Nothing to scare the horses here, just a light-hearted, uplifting tale of a young man messing up and finding his way. It is, in our opinion, likely to transfer to the West End, so catch it local while you can.



If you haven’t been to the Old Vic recently (and then where have you been?), there’s a super-cool bar for pre and post drinks (playing classic 80s pop!) and local Pieminster pies, so get there early and make a night (or afternoon) of it. And by the way, tickets are selling even faster than those pies, so look lively.



Good for: A feel-good night out with mates who remember the 80s, but also entertaining enough for the kids



Not for: Anyone after deep analysis of the era.



<a href="https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/starter-for-ten" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starter for Ten</a> is on at the <a href="https://bristololdvic.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bristol Old Vic</a> until Sat 30 March. 



Words: Rosie Meachin. Photos: Marc Brenner.

Review: Starter for Ten at the Bristol Old Vic, starring Mel Geidroyc

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