Quiz - The Lowry

Brilliant - Rory Bremner as Chris Tarrant.

YOU couldn’t make it up, the old saying goes.

In 2001 an army major, Charles Ingram, his wife Diana and their accomplice Tecwen Whitlock stood accused of duping the makers of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? out of the Tv quiz’s top cash prize.

Their modus operandi is pretty unique too, as anyone unfamiliar with this remarkable tale with testify if they go to see Quiz at The Lowry this week.

Twenty years on this story still hasn’t lost its power to captivate or intrigue.

But Quiz is a fictional account inspired by true events and involved Ingram, the quintessential English gent.

Rory Bremner, deservedly one of this country’s top impressionists, is a perfect Chris Tarrant. As the programme’s host he has captured everything from the mannerisms to the voice to Tarrant’s unmistakable and endearing laugh. I had to remind myself more than once that I wasn’t watching the real thing.

Lewis Reeves and Charley Webb are naturals for the roles of Charles and Diana. Weiter James Graham gives the audience a chance to pass judgement on the oh so home counties couple via a keypad similar to the ones used by contestants on the real TV show.

On Tuesday night the not guilty vote won by a handful of percentage points.

I also liked the way in which Graham takes a comedic and light hearted look at the way the court case was reported by the world’s media.

While Quiz offers us a flavour of how the case impacted the life of the Ingrams, it is by \and large great fun, to be enjoyed in the spirit the writer intended.

Until October 28. The box office is on 0343 208 6000 or www.thelowry.com.

Star rating - 3.5 out of 5.