Quiz

This play, “Quiz”, written by James Graham, shed light on one of the biggest scandals in British television history. Set against the serious subject of fraud, audience attention was gripped as we witnessed the run up to the events that led to the appearance of Charles Ingram on ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ in 2001, and the subsequent trial that took place in 2003.

The script was structured to encourage the audience to think about the case and consider whether the Ingrams were guilty or not guilty, regardless of what we already knew and may have remembered from media coverage. On entry to the auditorium this was supported by each audience member being handed two voting cards, which prompted us all toconsider by the end of the performance what we believed was true and judge whether Charles Ingram was guilty or innocent of attempting to defraud the makers of the TV Quiz, ‘Who Wants To Be a Millionaire.’

Rebecca Holmes-Mears’s direction was impressive from the outset, with fourteen cast members playing twenty seven characters. Energetic characterisations held the audience’s attention, with slick scene changes that effectively suggested several locations. The performance was divided into two acts: Act 1 presented the prosecution’s case, while Act 2 invited the audience to consider the defence perspective in the trial of Charles and Diana Ingram.

This was clearly a demanding play, with a great deal to cover, but director Rebecca Holmes-Mears and her team created an immersive production through clever staging, fluid movement, and strong support both on and off stage. Although the script was lengthy, the cast sustained its pace and moved seamlessly between roles, making each character instantly recognisable through effective costumes, wigs, props, and strong vocal delivery.

The set was minimal but versatile with no scenery and it served a dual-purpose, seamlessly transitioning between a TV studio and a courtroom, all making the theatre audience feel like they were part of the studio crowd and the jury. The open nature of the stage allowed the cast to quickly transition to other locations, such as the Ingram home, their local pub or military barracks without furniture changes. Big digital screens were integrated into the backdrop display. Two central podiums faced each other for the host, Chris Tarrant, and the contestant, Charles Ingram. 

The set was complemented by the lighting design that enabled a range of moods and atmosphere and settings to be evoked, including tension during the quiz and institutional light when the play shifted to the courtroom. The sound design too, was one of the most vital elements of this production, adding to the realism in the scenes. This included the amplified sound of19 distinct coughs, allegedly made to guide Charles Ingram’s answers; as well as the synthetic heartbeat sound effect that plays while a contestant ponders the answer. The impact of this highly effective and very clever lighting design and operation is to be accredited to Stan Vigurs and Dave Mills. The sound design is by Colin Mears.

The first scene in the play was a TV studio recording, complete with a warm-up act. From the moment warm-up man, Steve Hyett, bounded onto the stage with confidence and presence, he drew the audience in, making us active participants rather than passive spectators. As the warm-up, he had the audience in the palm of his hand, guiding us when to applaud, laugh, or join in with a collective “Oooh”. He set the tone perfectly from the start. 

Act 1 reconstructed the events leading up to the so-called “Coughing Major” scandal and gave interesting insight intohow the quiz was created and became so successful. Act 2 retold the story from the perspective of contestants Charles and Diana Ingram. Playing Chris Tarrant, Steve Hyett captured the presenter’s voice and mannerisms perfectly and gave a brilliant performance. Chris Pilkington was strong as Major Charles Ingram, a dedicated army man, who stumbled into becoming a public contestant and gradually warmed to the challenge of the quiz, bringing measured affability to the role. Caitlin Griffin portrayed Diana Ingram as systematic and unflappable, capturing her game-show obsession and her determination to guide Charles towards her desired outcome. 

Together, they balanced the image of a loving middle-class couple with the possibility of being duplicitous schemers. In Act 2, for the defence, Denise Bowen-Walters delivered a commanding, razor-sharp performance as Sonia Woodley QC. Alan Lowe, as Nicholas Hilliard QC, presented the prosecution’s case in Act 1 with engaging stage presence, well-judged dramatic pauses, and crisp, measured speech. Both actors held the audience’s gaze, making us feel personally addressed, and were convincingly persuasive. The cast was excellent, with many performers taking on multiple roles. Dominic Holmes played the renowned cougher, Tecwen Whittock, with quiet intensity in the courtroom scenes, projecting bewildered vulnerability as his world collapsed and he became a national punchline. As a college lecturer who had spent years trying to get onto the quiz show, Whittock desperately wanted to be in the hot seat himself. Dominic Holmes also played Paul Smith, the producer and managing director of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Projecting authority, an enthusiasm for television, and sharp executive steeliness when he realised the show was being compromised. It was commendable that he was able to deliver both roles with aplomb. He wasn’t the only one! Dale Roberts too ,switched effortlessly between the roles of Major General Roberts, David Liddiment, the TV producer and Adrian Woolfe. Dale played each of these real-life figures with an upbeat pace and expressive body language. There was a remarkably agile supporting cast, including Claire Parker, who played an array of roles with precision including the Courtroom Judge, and Noel Redfern, who played Adrian Pollock so convincingly as well as the role of Mark Burnett. This was a talented ensemble that handled the play’s relentless multi-roling with effortless flair, including Rachel Holmes, who was a joy to watch taking on the parts of Beryl, Rachel da Costa and Production Manager, (her facial expressions were outrageous!); Tyler Bostridge, who was Paddy Spooner and David Briggs; Heidi O’Connor; Angie Mc Dermott and Barbel Redfern.

While the trial focused on the Ingrams, the true engine of this production was its incredible ensemble cast who seamlessly pivoted between dozens of eccentric characters, which maintained the game show energy, ignited at the start by Steve’s lively warm-up.

A massive triumph for Rebecca as director for not only orchestrating a cast that played dozens of distinct roles that required precision but also for keeping the audience guessing about the Ingrams’ guilt.

Congratulations to the cast and crew on your performance. Thank you for inviting me.

Ann Escritt Regional Representative District 7

I was aware of the play however I had neither read it nor seen it before. I did not research beforehand other than what I had previously heard of the events regarding the notorious coughs.  What I was not aware of was when the episodes were filmed. These dates are in our minds forever (for another reason) the 9th and 10th September 2001.

There was a warm welcome in more ways than one. The evening, I attended was one of the hottest June evenings on record. A nice touch was the mint provided by Front of House – to prevent any unwanted coughs. 

Ann has provided an accurate report upon the play, we did however see different performances. The set was wonderful in depicting the television studio, Southwark Crown Court and other settings. The studio was immediately recognisable, however other scenes were equally convincing with minimal changes. The use of the down stage doors provided quick access to the stage by the legal representation. 

The characters were believable. I did enjoy Steve Hyett as Chris Tarrant, whose portrayal was good without mimicking. I equally enjoyed his portrayals of the hosts of game shows such as “Take Your Pick”, “Bullseye” and “The Price is Right”.  

The author’s concept of the audience playing the jury was a clever piece of writing. What cannot be scripted however is the willingness of the audience to participate in the warmup scene and the voting. This needs the cast to have engaged with the audience from page one. This was achieved by the cast providing the atmosphere we all wanted to be part of. 

The graphs used were of a good quality as was the lighting and sound again giving the tension when needed.

Did they do it? Well even if I took 50/50 I would remain unsure. Think I will ask a friend.

Well done on the final play of the season. I look forward to the 2026/27 programme starting with The Haunting of Hill House in October 2026. 

Andy Brown, Regional Councillor NODA West Midlands

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