Comic treat for musical fans after fine tune

STARTER FOR TEN Bristol Old Vic

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IT’S a treat to see this coming-of-age comedy musical, well, coming of age in the very theatre where it burst into life last year.

Charlie Parham and Emma Hall's adaptation of David Nicholls’ novel, as well as the 2006 film, made its debut at Bristol Old Vic last year and now it’s back after a bit of a polish.

With new songs, new sets and new choreography, it feels like we're following this musical’s journey to becoming fully formed and ready to take on the world, mirroring the show's hero Brian Jackson as he finds his feet as a young adult.

Working-class Essex boy Brian arrives at Bristol University with one overriding ambition - to appear on University Challenge. But when it comes to navigating romance, finding his identity and reconciling his roots with his future, Brian finds that while he might be a bit of a brainbox, he certainly doesn’t have all the answers.

Brian is played by a relatable, like-able Adam Bregman, who teams youthful overconfidence with vulnerability. Mesmerised by posh drama student Alice (Imogen Craig), and oblivious to his deepening bond with confrontational classmate and student activist Rebecca (Asha Parker-Wallace), we see him blunder his way through love, friendship and family drama onto Bristol’s University Challenge team, sure that victory will follow.