Review: Quiz, Theatre Royal Bath – ‘This is what theatre’s about’

Quiz is great.

Two very big reasons to go: it’s not the same as the adapted TV drama-doc you might have seen (although the story’s necessarily the same), and Rory Bremner as Chris Tarrant is a great ensemble player in a great ensemble cast with and brilliantly fun script.

Here’s the challenge – everyone (above a certain age) thinks they know the story of the ‘coughing Major’ accused of ‘hacking’ (hacking cough – see what I did there? Sorry…) Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? to win a million. And if you’re familiar with real life or book-to-theatre adaptations, you’ll know they can be ‘right plodders’, slowly unraveling to the beat of, ‘this happened and then this happened’ and then the auditorium’s empty after the interval.

But Quiz absolutely revels in our knowing-ness, and makes it a lot of fun. James Graham’s script and Daniel Evans’ and Seán Linnen’s direction give us a pacy, multi-layered, fourth-wall-prodding piece of interactive entertainment.

Quiz – Lewis Reeves as Charles Ingram and Rory Bremner as Chris Tarrant

We’re the game-playing jury, simultaneously watching the court case and a few different interpretations of the events that led up to it. It has the seamless glee of farce (the purest – but artistically trickiest – form of comedy). You can’t help but be impressed – just as you can’t help but be entertained.

There’s so much to say, and not enough space so:

• It’s only in Bath ‘til Saturday (25th Nov) so hurry up – do not miss this!
• This cast is an utter joy – so much that you envy the fun you imagine they’re having (cue raised backstage eyebrows, perhaps; I hope not)
• The offstage talent is extraordinary: Robert Jones’ design, Ryan Day’s lighting, Ben and Max Ringham’s music and sound, the costume and props teams – their work combined creates a wholly believable, immersive world that had the packed house entranced
• The cast! The cast!  OK – there’s space for one more paragraph – or three….

Quiz – Lewis Reeves as Charles Ingram and Charley Webb as Diana Ingram – photo: Johan Persson

Lewis Reeves’ Charles Ingham is gorgeous; Charley Webb’s Diana Ingram annoyingly (in the right way!) perfect, and as I mentioned above, Rory Bremner really pulls it off. He shares the limelight and his Chris Tarrant is almost too good – he’s a genuine pleasure to watch on the stage (not all top-billings are, as you know).

And then there’s a whole host of great talent, playing multiple parts – and apologies to those I can’t fit in. We’re treated to the delicious Mark Benton – whose David Liddiment had the audience spitting with laughter (not to mention his Craig David – just you wait); Stefan Adegbola is fantastic as production company Celador’s Paul Smith; and to top them all, we have Sukh Ojla who plays every version of ‘that woman/that man’ whose actions are needed to move a scene. She’s funny, wry, and so completely watchable you’ll want to see much more.

Quiz – Danielle Henry as Sonia Woodley QC, Rory Bremner as Chris Tarrant, Leo Wringer as Nicholas Hilliard QC

Great script, great cast, great production talent, great direction. And they treat the audience like adults who deserve a fantastic night’s entertainment. This is what theatre’s about.

Get a ticket, because after Saturday, you’ll have to head to Birmingham and that’s the very end of the tour. Quick!

Quiz: The Coughing Major Millionaire Scandal is at Theatre Royal Bath on November 20-25. Tickets are available at www.theatreroyal.org.uk.

All photos: Johan Persson

Read more: Review: 2.22 – A Ghost Story, Theatre Royal Bath – ‘Theatre of your dreams’

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