Starter For 10, the film that launched stardom, is being adapted as a stage musical

EXCLUSIVE: The 2006 movie beginners for 10, which helped launch the big screen career by James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rebecca Hall, Dominic Cooper and James Corden, is being developed into a stage musical.

The show, based on the 2003 novel by David Nicholl and the HBO/Playtone film directed by Tom Vaughan, will have its world premiere at the Bristol Old Vic in February.

“The film launched the careers of so many young actors, and we hope the musical will do the same,” producer Emma Hall told us.

Hall in London revealed that Rebecca Hall “is my big sister, so she’s really excited about it. This film, this book has a very special place in her heart.”

Set in 1985, the story follows working-class freshman Brian Jackson, who plays the role of McAvoy in the film, as he begins his undergraduate years at the University of Bristol.

Brian’s dream is to get a place at his university Challenge University team while simultaneously attracting the attention of two potential lovers.

Challenge University is a popular show, never more so than when the quiz master was Bamber Gascony. He hosted the show for 25 years. His famous phrase when opening a question and answer session was “Fingers on buzzers – your starter for 10”.

The phrase remains popular even among those who have never seen the television show.

Punk rock composers Tom Rasmussen and Hatty Carman will write the 1980s-inspired score and lyrics. Emma Hall and Charlie Parham will write the book and lyrics. Parham (Full English, Greatest Days) will headline the show in Bristol ahead of an expected transfer to the West End.

Hall said the original songs were inspired by the sound of the time, including paying homage to Kate Bush, The Cure and Pet Shop Boys. “The songs will remind audiences of the songs of the era,” Hall noted.

Both Hall and Parham read Nicholls book at Cambridge. “We have it Challenge University team, unfortunately.”

Yes, the story is about going to college, but Hall stressed that it’s not just for people who attend such temples of higher learning. “It’s about that time in your life — young adulthood, where you’re desperate to reinvent yourself and you’re not quite sure who you’re going to be and anything feels possible,” she said.

“You have this raw, bombastic ’80s student world, and then you have this very happy, charming, but quite eccentric world of Challenge Universityand the combination of the two is irresistible,” she added.

Casting has not yet begun, but a key role will be played by Bamber Gascogne, played by Mark Gatiss in the film.

“Bamber Gascoigne is our showman, he’s our Billy Flynn,” Hall said, referring to the lawyer in the musical Chicagowho excelled in razzamatazz.

appetizer for 10 runs from 29 February to 30 March at Bristol Old Vic. It’s part of the first season of new artistic director Nancy Medina’s award-winning theater.

Producers are Hall and Parham’s Antic Productions, Bristol Old Vic, Longshot Films and Playtone.

Playtone produced the film version with Neal Street Productions.

Neal Street is not involved in the stage production. “We have their blessings and everyone is just happy for it to happen,” Hall said.