There are some productions where, before a single line is spoken, you know you’re in for something a little different. Quiz by James Graham was exactly that. I’ve seen The Grange Playhouse stage transformed into all sorts over the years, but I don’t think I’ve ever walked into what looked like a television studio before. Of course, this being Fellowship Players, it didn’t stay that way for long. With some wonderfully fluid staging, the set effortlessly became a family kitchen, a cosy pub, an army barracks and, most importantly, the courtroom where the real drama unfolded. It was a clever piece of design that kept the story moving at pace without ever feeling cluttered.

For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Quiz tells the remarkable true tale of Major Charles Ingram, the army officer accused of cheating his way to the million-pound prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in 2001. Alongside his wife Diana and fellow contestant Tecwen Whittock, Ingram found himself at the centre of one of the biggest television scandals of the decade. Graham’s script cleverly asks the audience to become the jury, constantly challenging what we think we know about guilt, innocence and the power of television.

Directed by Rebecca Holmes-Mears, this was another ambitious production from Fellowship Players, making full use of the Grange Playhouse stage. The pace rarely faltered, despite the sheer number of locations and characters, while Sam Evans kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes as Stage Manager.

Chris Pilkington had the unenviable task of portraying the much-discussed Major Charles Ingram, and wisely resisted the temptation to caricature him. Instead, he gave us a man who often seemed bewildered by the situation unfolding around him, making it easy to see why public opinion became so divided. Alongside him, Caitlin Griffin was excellent as Diana Ingram, capturing both her determination and unwavering support for her husband.

Dominic Holmes had a lot to do, taking on both Tecwen Whittock and Paul Smith, and I really enjoyed the way he completely transformed between the two. It wasn’t just the accent that changed; his posture, mannerisms and, thanks to an excellent wig, even his appearance instantly created two very different people. Knowing Dominic’s usual clean-shaven look made the transformation all the more effective. He also popped up briefly as a foreign news reporter, a moment that genuinely made me laugh out loud.

Alan Lowe was superb, switching between Nicholas Hilliard QC and the ever-smiling John de Mol with ease, while Denise Bowen-Waters brought authority and warmth as Sonia Woodley QC. Claire Parker impressed in several roles, most notably Judge Rivlin, guiding the courtroom scenes with exactly the right balance of control and dry humour.

Dale Roberts seemed to pop up everywhere, confidently taking on Major General Roberts, David Liddiment and Adrian Woolfe, while Noel Redfern was equally versatile as Adrian Pollock, Mark Burnett and part of the ensemble. Tyler Bostridge added plenty of character as Paddy Spooner and David Briggs, with Heidi O’Connor making the most of her appearances as the Daily Mail journalist and within the ensemble.

Rachel Holmes deserves special mention, not only as Production Manager (loved the different coloured LX tape) but also for Beryl and Rachel da Costa, while Angie McDermott and Barbel Redfern completed a hardworking ensemble, bringing extra life to the many scenes that required a bustling television audience, courtroom observers and members of the public. Steve Hyett was great fun as Chris Tarrant, perfectly capturing the presenter’s mannerisms without slipping into parody, and his role as the warm-up act before the show began helped immerse the audience in the television studio atmosphere from the outset. (Applause)

One of the joys of Quiz is how much fun it has with television itself. The game show sequences were brilliantly recreated, with all the familiar music, lighting and larger-than-life presentation. The various game show hosts were a real highlight, perfectly capturing the over-polished charm of prime-time television and raising plenty of laughs along the way. I also loved the singing throughout the production, which helped kept the energy high.

I also have to mention the little quiz tucked away in the programme. It was a lovely touch that got everyone thinking before the curtain went up. I can safely say I wouldn’t have been walking away with the million pounds!

James Graham’s script is packed with humour, even while dealing with a serious subject, and Fellowship Players found exactly the right balance. There were genuine laugh-out-loud moments, particularly during the television recreations, but the production never lost sight of the bigger questions about media influence, public perception and justice.

A quick word also has to go to the theatre itself. Those reading this later in the year may have forgotten just how ferociously hot the end of June became. Thankfully, The Grange Playhouse’s air conditioning was working overtime, making it one of the most comfortable seats in the county on an otherwise sweltering evening. It certainly didn’t go unnoticed!

As always with Fellowship Players, the production values were strong. Slick scene changes, confident direction and a cast clearly enjoying themselves combined to make for an engaging evening. Quiz is a wordy play that relies heavily on timing, pacing and audience engagement, and this company kept the story moving from the opening question right through to the final verdict.

By the end, you may still not be entirely sure whether Major Charles Ingram was guilty or innocent—that, after all, is exactly what James Graham wants. What is certain, however, is that Fellowship Players delivered another polished and entertaining production, proving once again that they are never afraid to tackle ambitious theatre and make it their own.

One final question remains. Did The Fellowship Players deliver a thoroughly entertaining evening? Just let me clear my throat… I’d say the answer is A: Absolutely. Final answer.