20 – 25 November

‘Show trial’ is a term normally associated with totalitarian regimes, but in writer James Graham’s teasingly entertaining Quiz we are reminded that our own courtroom procedures are nothing if not theatrical, and that television shows frequently put participants on trial, inviting the public to pass judgement. Thus courtrooms and TV studios have much in common, as is reflected in Robert Jones’ cleverly adaptable set design, which features the Royal Coat of Arms and the imposing doors of a Court of Law, but also the familiar ring of swivelling spotlights from Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? The play revisits the events of September 2001, when Major Charles Ingram won the top prize on that show, only to be accused of cheating and being subsequently convicted in Southwark Crown Court on a charge of deception.

The tragicomic tale of the ‘Coughing Major’ may seem familiar, but Quiz sustains interest throughout by revealing many details of the case that are less well known, such as the activities of groups of quiz obsessives who have sophisticated strategies for getting on quiz shows and winning them. Act 1 focuses largely upon the case for the prosecution, and concludes with the audience invited to play the role of jury, and enter ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ verdicts. Act 2 mounts a robust case for the defence, and broadens out into a debate around just what we mean by ideas such as ‘truth’ and ‘justice’.

Although Quiz is chiefly comic in style, its underlying themes carry some weight. Ingram won Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? on September 10, 2001. The following day brought the cataclysm of 9/11. Ingram and his wife saw their private life falling apart at the same time as wider certainties were also collapsing. Though Quiz offers laughs in abundance, there is darkness, too. A poignant scene reveals that the Ingrams’ dog was kicked to death: rough ‘justice’ indeed.

The three main roles are superbly well cast. Lewis Reeves and Charley Webb capture perfectly the Ingram’s air of desperately decent middle-class respectability, while Rory Bremner simply is Chris Tarrant. Much of the fun lies in recognising just how precisely he replicates every gesture and every facial expression, and the voice is, of course, spot-on. That there are shameless elements of caricature in his performance does not jar, for under the nimble direction of Daniel Evans and Seán Linnen the other roles are also played in enjoyably broad, exaggerated style. Mark Benton is especially hilarious as a tracksuited David Liddiment, the ITV  Director of Programmes.

Quiz, though based on a true story, is essentially a fiction, a pretence, which is cheerfully acknowledged throughout, especially when the fourth wall disappears and the audience/jury is asked to submit verdicts. And while at the end of Act 2 last night there was no clear majority displayed on the screens, there was still plenty to discuss – great fun.

★★★★☆  Mike Whitton, 21 November 2023

Photo credit: Johan Persson