How we loved the TV quiz show ‘Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?’ in its heyday, a quarter of a century ago now. Indeed, millions of us regularly tuned in, and the format of the show was exported to countries around the globe. It ticked the boxes of all the things us Brits appear to love: a quiz – any quiz – general knowledge, drama and gambling.
But if there’s one thing we just can’t abide, it’s a cheat. And in September 2001, Major Charles Ingram, assisted by his wife Diana and her friend Tecwen Whittock, swindled his way to the top prize of the show.
If there’s one thing us brits can’t abide, it’s a cheat.
We all know the story, don’t we? Ingrams had no idea of the correct answers; he simply listened for coughing prompts from Whittock, sitting in the studio audience.
However, James Graham’s ‘Quiz’ by Ronin Theatre Productions, currently on at Oxford’s Old Fire Station dares to challenge this apparently open-and-shut case. QUIZ – Guilty or innocent? Ronin Theatre brings the courtroom drama and game show spectacle to OFS, with you as the jury!
‘Think you know this story? Think again,’ suggests this play. We are slowly drawn in as the action flits seamlessly between the many fascinating aspects of this saga: the pitching of the show to sceptical ITV bosses, the Ingrams’ relationship, the Major’s jaw-dropping performance on the show and the court case itself, during which Charles Ingrams, in defence of his bizarrely cavalier approach to the quiz, maintains that it was indeed just a performance.
the action flits seamlessly between the many fascinating aspects of this saga
Actor Rob Cole’s impersonation and sympathetic portrayal of Ingrams is excellent, as is Nicola Jones as Diana Ingram, who, at the time, was vilified in the media as being Lady Macbeth incarnate. It’s sickening to learn of the consequences of their trial-by-media which included abuse of the couple, their daughters, pets and property, all by members of the public.
Either side of the interval we, the audience, are given the part of the jury, and are presented with the facts – first by prosecution barrister Nicholas Hilliard QC (Matt Blurton) and then by Sonia Woodley QC (Clare Denton) acting for the defence.
‘we, the audience, are given the part of the jury, and are presented with the facts’
After each presentation we are then asked to give our verdict by holding up ‘GUILTY’ or ‘NOT GUILTY’ placards. What a neat idea! – it’s the ‘Ask The Audience’ from the gameshow transposed into real life.
Through this audience participation, the play forces us to concede that ‘facts’ can be slippery things, and that perspective and context can be hugely influential in our understanding.
If you don’t go and see this play with an open mind, ‘Quiz’ will open it for you. So, did they really cheat? Go and watch this fascinating play and then decide for yourselves.
EDWARD BLISS
Quiz by James Graham runs at OFS until Saturday (March 7). Book here: https://oldfirestation.org.uk/whats-on/quiz-by-james-graham/
