Heart- warming show returns

Following its record-breaking run last year, Bristol Old Vic welcomes back big-hearted musical Starter For Ten. NATALIE BANYARD spoke to Mel Giedroyc and Adam Bregman, who reprise their roles in the riotous show

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FINGERS on buzzers! After a sellout run in 2024, the bright, bighearted and truly brilliant musical Starter For Ten is back, with even more joy, comedy and 80s nostalgia.

After a triumphant premiere at Bristol Old Vic in spring 2024, Starter For Ten returns to the King Street theatre this month, with Mel Giedroyc reprising her twin roles as Brian's mum Irene and Bamber Gascoigne’s irresistible sidekick Julia Bland, and Adam Bregman back as University Challenge-obsessed student Brian.

I caught up with the pair during rehearsals for the production's much-anticipated return, and both are eager to get their teeth into this updated version of the hit show, which runs at Bristol Old Vic from September 10 to October 11.

"I am deeply excited about SFT 2.0," enthuses effervescent comedian, presenter and actress Mel. "Don't get me wrong. I LOVED the first version. We all did. But our incredible team have been working really hard in the last year to make it even better!"

Lovingly adapted from David Nicholls' 2003 coming-of-age novel and the subsequent 2006 film starring James McAvoy, Starter For Ten is a joyous, relatable, feelgood hit.

What is 18-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, hosted by the charismatic Bamber Gascoigne.

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.

We follow Brian through his academic struggles, his infatuation with a fellow teammate named Alice, and his journey of self-discovery as he navigates university life and the challenges of fitting in.