3 min readFind out what Vicki from the Visit Bristol team thought of Starter for Ten, which is on at Bristol Old Vic until 11 October 2025.
Starter for Ten, first performed at the Bristol Old Vic in 2024, is back with a bang for 2025. It follows the story of the book called Starter for Ten by David Nicholls.
Set in 1985, we join 18 year old Brian (played by Adam Bregman) from Southend on Sea, on his journey to Bristol University, where his ultimate goal is to appear on University Challenge. Brian is the first person from his family and friend group to go to university, and armed with a bin bag full of clothes and his dream, he arrives at Bristol University with an idealism of the amazing experience he’s going to have, but things don’t always go to plan.
He struggles to adjust to a completely different life from the one he’s left behind at home, and when trying out for the team, he meets Alice (Imogen Craig). Brian falls in love with her, but his feelings aren’t reciprocated. The story follows Brian's first year, where he tries to fit in, makes new friends, drinks too much, chases Alice, and also tries to get a place in the University Challenge team.
Image - Adam Bregman (Brian) in Starter for Ten. Credit Pamela Raith
In Bristol, we see Brian befriend a Glaswegian activist, Rebecca (Asah Parker-Wallace), posh love interest Alice, team captain Patrick Watts (the amazing Will Jennings), and Lucy Chang (Miracle Chance), and let's not forget the rugby boy housemates, creating a unique group of friends you can only meet at Uni.
With a cast of 12 (they double up on characters, so it feels much larger), the show delivers everything you could want in terms of humour and storytelling, set against an original soundtrack, with an 80s feel, especially Alice’s Madonna-inspired number. While the whole cast was amazing, the stars who stole the show were Stephen Ashfield as Bamber Gascoigne, who kept popping up to add some extra comedy moments, and, of course, Mel Giedroyc.
Image - Starter for Ten. Credit Pamela Raith
Mel delivers two roles in the show, the first one being Irene, Brian’s lovely mum, who she played with warmth and sincerity and the second being the mad, camp quiz assistant Julia Bland, who was hilarious.
Co-writers Charlie Parham and Emma Hall highlight the classism in university life, which is embedded in the story, with Brian's background setting him apart from other wealthier students; however, the true story that shines through is that the quiz brings the students together. All of them are from different backgrounds, but working together as a team, towards a common goal and finding friendships, despite their differences.
I really enjoyed Starter for Ten. It's funny, honest, and full of nostalgia, but also relevant to the present day. Of course, being set in Bristol makes it even more of a winner!
Starter for Ten is at Bristol Old Vic until 11 October 2025. Book your tickets here
Image - Starter for Ten. Credit Pamela Raith
Tickets from £13
Running time: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes, inc. interval
Age Guidance: Ages 12+
Access Info: Starter for Ten has BSL, Audio Described and Captioned performances.
