Starter for Ten review

“Have you had fun?” is the question Amol Rajan often asks University Challenge contestants post-match. If he posed the same question to the audience of this new musical adaptation of David Nicholls’ 2006 film, their answer would almost certainly be yes.

Directed by Charlie Parham, with book and lyrics by Parham and Emma Hall, this very British musical has the energy levels of a freshers’ foam party and the cuteness of a first-term romance. The basic premise is the same as in the film: Brian Jackson (Adam Bregman) is a shy boy from Southend flailing in the hothouse academic world of Bristol University. His dream of appearing on University Challenge dates back to childhood viewings with his now-deceased dad, who once built him his own buzzer.

One of the show’s biggest strengths is how well cast it is. Both writers and performers nail the types who appear repeatedly on BBC’s institution of a quiz. Emily Lane excels as Alice, the blonde-on-blonde drama society toff who turns up in gold lamé puffball sleeves for her appearance on the telly. Will Jennings is very funny as Patrick, the rich boy with a teddy bear who has been plugging away as team captain for too many years. And Miracle Chance is both sympathetic and amusing as Lucy, the Asian-American super geek from Princeton, with a fluffy exterior and steel insides.

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