Full casting revealed for STARTER FOR TEN musical in Bristol and Birmingham
Photo credit: Oliver Rosser
Following a record-breaking run at Bristol Old Vic in March 2024, full casting has been announced for new musical Starter for Ten, which returns to Bristol from 10 September-11 October before transferring to Birmingham Rep from 22 October-1 November.
Alongside the previously announced actress, presenter, comedian and writer Mel Giedroyc, who will reprise the role of Brian’s mum, Irene Jackson, and Bamber Gascoigne’s irresistible sidekick Julia Bland, Adam Bregman (Chariots of Fire, Sheffield Crucible) returns as Brian, Miracle Chance (Heathers, The Other Palace) reprises the role of Lucy, and Will Jennings (Les Misérables, West End) returns as Patrick. They are joined by new cast members including Stephen Ashfield (The Book of Mormon, West End) as Bamber Gascoigne and Brian's dad, Dave Jackson, Asha Parker-Wallace (Burlesque, West End) as Rebecca, Rachel John (Hamilton, West End) as Dr Bowman, and Christian Maynard (Midnight Cowboy, Southwark Playhouse) as Spencer. Imogen Craig will make her professional debut as Alice. The cast is completed by Michelle Bishop, Luke Johnson, Kwamé Kandekore, and Laura Dawn Pyatt.
This bright and big-hearted new musical has a book and lyrics co-written by Emma Hall and Charlie Parham, Artistic Directors of Antic Productions, with an 80s-inspired original score and lyrics by queer, pop-punk composers Hatty Carman and Tom Rasmussen. The production is directed by Charlie Parham, with choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, set and costume design by Lee Newby, lighting by Zoe Spurr, sound by Rob Bettle and Sam Clarkson for Sound Quiet Time, casting by Will Burton for GBC, fight direction by Kate Waters, music supervision, vocal arrangements and additional music by Nick Barstow, and orchestrations by Tom Kelly.
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…
Adapted from the hilarious novel by bestselling author David Nicholls and the popular 2006 film, Starter for Ten is a coming-of-age comedy musical about love, belonging and the all-important difference between knowledge and wisdom.