James Graham's latest play is a provocative re-examination of the case against Charles Ingram, also known as the ‘coughing Major’, for cheating on the TV show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in 2001.
Quiz ‘highlights the dangerous blending of entertainment, politics and justice today’ (Sunday Times).
Following the success of INK and Labour of Love, Quiz completes Graham's remarkable series of West End productions in less than a year, in succession of his previous critically acclaimed plays This House (National Theatre, 2012), Privacy and The Vote (Donmar Warehouse, 2014, 2015). He is know for his insights into the dynamics of politics and sharp sense of humour.
Chichester Festival Theatre Artistic Director Daniel Evans directs the cast of Keir Charles, Greg Haiste, Mark Meadows, Henry Pettigrew, Gavin Spokes, Stephanie Street, Jay Villiers, Lizzie Winkler, and Sarah Woodward, all of whom reprise their roles from the original Chichester run. They are joined by Sharon Ballard.
Book tickets now for its limited 12 week run at the Noël Coward Theatre! Opens April 2018.
- Good To Know
Captioned/Audio Described Performances
Captioned Thursday 17th May
Audio Described Saturday 5th May, Matinee
*Quiz is a fictional imagination based on real events which took place in 2001 following an episode of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? It is not in any way connected with the makers of the programme or any of the individuals portrayed.
Additional Details & FAQ
- Cancellation Policy
No refunds or exchanges after booking.
- How Does It Work
Please print confirmation email and bring along with you to your performance.
- Where Do I Go
85-88 St Martin's Ln, London WC2N 4AP
Critic Reviews
The Telegraph
Apr 12, 2018
a fun-filled anatomy of how hooked people can get on TV game-shows when the prize is right... even if you’re sitting up in the dress-circle you feel included, goaded, teased.'
The Independent
Apr 12, 2018
With its mix of populism, personal tragedy, politics, and even a pub quiz, this is sure to be another hit for a playwright on a roll'
The Times
Apr 12, 2018
James Graham’s portrayal of the ‘coughing major’ scandal is a whirling, neon wonder that makes for utterly compulsive viewing'
Reviews
Mandi
Jun 18, 2018
Very funny and informative about television quiz shows generally and the Who wants to be a Millionaire scandal in particular. Just enough audience participation to be fun but not uncomfortable. Wonderful performances. Shame it finished Saturday 16th
Gel
Jun 16, 2018
Great fun. still not sure if they did or didn’t do it? Love every play I have seen by this man. Thankyou.
Kirsten
Jun 16, 2018
I booked for this at the last minute as a tourist not knowing much about the play (or the scandal to be honest). The writing was clever, the production brilliant and the overall theatre experience top notch.
Andrew Rigney
Jun 14, 2018
Fantastic show, wonderful cast of actors and a brilliantly funny and enlightening script. Highly recommended
.
Jun 14, 2018
I thought it was magnificent
Rakesh punj
Jun 14, 2018
Best value London to offer Excellent show
Carla,
Jun 14, 2018
Went to see Quiz on the recomendation of my son who had seen it. l thought it was brilliant and very well done and so funny, we laughed all the way through and l loved that the audience was involved. l remember the story very well. lf it comes back to London l would see it again.
D
Jun 13, 2018
First play that I saw in London. Love how interactive and amazing (yet simple) it was.
Natalie
May 24, 2018
Not a dull moment and you get to decide the verdict at the end of the show!
Martin
May 24, 2018
This is a great play. Really well acted, brilliantly staged and the narrative is by turns very funny and very clever. The ending is quite moving.
Lana
May 23, 2018
Really enjoyed it - had everything from nostalgia, comedy, real life story, interesting look at the history of the show and audience interaction - very thought provoking, entertaining and enjoyable evening. Highly recommend.
Leon Garner
May 19, 2018
Great play, wonderful performances, funny and thought orovoking.
Lauren
May 19, 2018
Great take on the story, really makes you think about both sides. Also big shout out to the guy who plays Chris. His manoriams were spot on and hilarious every time
Karen Benedyk
May 17, 2018
Unusual Cleverly staged Entertaining Loved the interactive bits
Peter
May 17, 2018
An entertaining evening-- a lively production, fast, funny and intriguing. Liked the audience votes at the end of each half. Slight puzzle was apparent coke snorting interlude with floor manager at the start of the second act- didn't work.
Ric the Juror
May 17, 2018
We had a great time !! Came away thinking ... the Judge got it right ! Keir charles as Chris Tarrant ( & several other parts!) is Absolutely Brilliant !!!
Leila
May 17, 2018
Had a great time watching this play. It's very entertaining and the cast is excellent. I liked how it combined a look at English culture, background on the show, entertainment and thought-provoking commentary on how much media shapes your opinion on events
Beauville
May 15, 2018
Clever, intriguing, thought-provoking, and above all, very entertaining. Great performances and fun set. Get a seat on the stage if you can!
Mary
May 14, 2018
Fun, clever AND interactive - also thought provoking over issues we probably generally take for granted. My friend and I came to opposing conclusions at the end of the performance. We also really liked the way the set was used. Just a feelgood evening
Theatre-goer
May 13, 2018
Disappointing performance. Play lacked tension.
Fi D
May 13, 2018
We went to see Quiz on Saturday and got to make our West End debut as part of the show. Audience participation is great! Had a wonderful time and would thoroughly recommend it.
Gill dowling
May 13, 2018
Funny. Entertaining. Clever. A great afternoon and a most interesting end- the power of advocacy!! Don’t miss it!
Barbara B.
May 13, 2018
Really didn't know what to expect but thoroughly enjoyed it, in particular the audience participation with the voting. Very clever concept. The actor who played Chris Tarrant was hilarious and got his facial expressions down to a T.
Debbie
May 13, 2018
Great first half with some audience participation and lots of giggles. 2nd half much more about the guily or not guilty story. Overall a very enjoyable play.
AW
May 13, 2018
5*
Katherine
May 12, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed ‘QUIZ’, worth a watch and I thought the audience participation brought a nice touch.
Nick S
May 10, 2018
Cleverly constructed and well acted play. I wasn't sure what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised. Would definitely recommend. The theatre staff were also very good. Well done to you all
Sam
May 10, 2018
This play offered so much more than a mere recreation of a popular scandal. It was a poignant commentary on modern society, popular culture, media hysteria and our fascination with scandal. Do not be fooled by the subject of this play, it was deeper and more insightful than I expected. Fantastic stuff.
Mandy Shepherd
May 10, 2018
Heard very good reviews of the play from Minerva CFT but felt disappointed that adapting to the bigger theatre 'lost' something. Great atmosphere but not a full house. Thought warm up act was hard work and OTT and the whole play a tad disjointed. Funny in places and good entertainment but sadly wouldn't recommend.
Jack kershaw
May 10, 2018
Enjoyable, witty and thought provoking.
Tom
May 8, 2018
Really disappointing and James Graham's poorest play yet. All puff and bluster no nuance in the writing.
AM
May 7, 2018
An entertaining and interesting look back on the cheating scandal surrounding 'Who want to be a millionaire'.
John De Morgan
May 6, 2018
An excellent production of an interesting play based on real events. Well acted all round, by a hardworking cast, with intelligent use of modern technology, and good audience participation. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon
Judy Havinga
May 6, 2018
James Graham has created an absolute masterpiece! Such Intelligent writing; gripping and witty from the start. Watch to learn something about yourself and more importantly about society...
Lord B
May 5, 2018
Excellent performances from a stellar cast I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of Chris Tarrant Audience participation added an interesting dimension Thought proving analysis of the entire incident Well done and thank you
Chas
May 4, 2018
Amusing, but thought provoking. And what timing with the revival of "millionaire" on TV.
Mark King
May 2, 2018
Thought provoking experience with great audience participation and lots to discuss afterwards. Great performances by the whole cast.
Ant
May 2, 2018
Couldn't recommend enough! Clever, fun, and just a properly good time
Lucy
Apr 28, 2018
The ‘coughing major’ who wants to be a millionaire episode is pacy well cast - Chris Tarrant character keeps us on the edge of our seats. Some audience participation is required as in ‘live’ TV & we get to vote! It helps if you remember this programme back in the day but still worth the effort if not.
Lynden
Apr 27, 2018
This was unlike any other James Graham play we have seen, so we were a little disappointed. It is one of the cleverest plays I have seen recently, brilliant idea to combine the trial and game show. Fantastic production but only reasonable acting, perhaps because the script wasn't up to his usual standard. Some interesting themes, which haven't been pursued by playwrights before. It does demonstrate what a versatile writer James Graham is but it was just a little light for us, but entertaining. Interesting audience participation.
Lynden
Apr 27, 2018
This was unlike any other James Graham play we have seen, so we were a little disappointed. It is one of the cleverest plays I have seen recently, brilliant idea to combine the trial and game show. Fantastic production but only reasonable acting, perhaps because the script wasn't up to his usual standard. Some interesting themes, which haven't been pursued by playwrights before. It does demonstrate what a versatile writer James Graham is but it was just a little light for us, but entertaining. Interesting audience participation.
Team Not Guilty
Apr 27, 2018
We were a group of 6 and all loved the show. Everyone came away thinking differently about the story we already knew so much about. Masterfully written, beautifully adapted. Genius.
Lolly
Apr 27, 2018
I was hugely impressed with Quiz. Right from the get go, the atmosphere was brilliant. The story was extremely interesting and revealed extra details that I hadn't known from the investigation which took place. Whilst lots of fun, it was also quite thought provoking too. Thoroughly enjoyable. The reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is that it was, for me, about 20 minutes too long.
Vicky Marsh
Apr 25, 2018
Thoughtful clever and fun
Yasie
Apr 25, 2018
A very good/clever production-the actor who played Chris Tarrant was outstanding!
Cookie
Apr 23, 2018
Seen 4 of James Graham's plays now. This one was disappointing. I wouldn't recommend it. Loved This House, Labour of love and Ink.
Eavan
Apr 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this play. It was incredibly engaging and thought provoking with some excellent performances. The audience participation was great fun without being contrived. I would definitely recommend it.
M&N
Apr 22, 2018
Well directed and acted performance of the reality show intertwined with courtroom drama and audience participation - all of which makes for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Stuart
Apr 21, 2018
Quiz is specifically about possible cheating on a TV quiz program. But it is really a dramatized trial showing both prosecution and defense versions of the events. This had the potential to an amazing strong evening of theater. But it misses, unfortunately. The prosecution's case is stacked against the defendants. Facts are presented in a one sided fashion. At the conclusion of Act I, the audience votes overwhelmingly that the defendants are guilty. Act II is the defense presentation. The information is all there to see the substantial holes in the prosecutions case. But the Defense is presented so poorly, a subsequent audience vote still leaves the defendants voted guilty. A chart projected shows the audience voting results from the past week. All showed the audience voting guilty. If the defense had been better, it could have demonstrated the problems with a one sided heavy handed prosecution. The effect could affect future jury trials. But this has not happened here. I regret that they have failed in a very important opportunity.
Kim
Apr 21, 2018
Really enjoyed the performance and the interaction of the audience. Something a bit different from the usual play format.