Quiz

Quiz is scheduled to be the last ever Melville Theatre Company production at their traditional home, also known as the Roy Edinger Theatre, and it is fitting that they depart with a show directed by perhaps their most lauded director, Vanessa Jensen and with the strong product that is Quiz. 

The play is based on the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? controversy and court case, in which Major Charles Ingram, winner of the One Million Pound grand prize, his wife and another contestant were accused of cheating, denied the prize and taken to court for fraud. Set in the tv studio, Southwark Crown Court and the Ingram family home, the show is played largely as a quiz show, with lots of audience interaction and participation, and many laughs - despite its often quite serious plot and themes.

A cast of sixteen play thirty-five individual characters and an ensemble, with actors playing up to four significant roles plus crowd - varying their accents and characterisations with skill.

The two leading actors Ben Small and Ruhama Rowe - play single roles -those of Charles and Diana Ingram.  Both are demanding roles needing great scope of emotion and range, that were handled beautifully - and they established a believable relationship.

Other strong performances included those of Phil Bedworth especially as the seemingly upright Major General Roberts, and quiz obsessive Tecwen Whitlock and Paul Cook’s Prosecutor Nicholas Hilliard QC. Murray Jackson excels playing a series of very different quiz hosts, Jayma Mathewson was very convincing as defence lawyer Sonia Woodley QC and Paul Reed was impressive as Diana’s brother Adrian. 

Performances from this large ensemble were cohesive, with stage movement working well. Vanessa Jensen’s set design sleekly replicates the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? set, which also serves as the courtroom, which is supplemented by slick lighting, sound and AV design by Lars Jensen. 

Quite a lengthy show and very wordy, actors are kept busy throughout. Costumier Michelle Sharp keeps things simple to allow for quick transitions with the addition of single key items for most characters.

Nice to see a new show, well played by a talented ensemble and with excellent production values.

Kimberley Shaw