ROUND 1 - Hidden theme

1.

Which song did Andy Fairweather-Low take to number 6 in the charts in late 1975?

2.

Which popular actress is the widow of playwright, Jack Rosenthal?

3.

Which central defender, who died in 2006, played a total of 534 games for Everton and won 26 English caps between 1962 and 1970?

4.

Who is the current Head Coach of the Ireland Rugby Union team?

5.

Which verb can mean either to feed on twigs, leaves and scanty vegetation or to read in a desultory manner?

6.

In American creole cooking, what name is given to a thick soup or stew made from meat or shellfish with various vegetables and spices?

7.

If the first track is Holidays in the Sun and the last track is EMI, what is the chart topping album?

8.

What collective name is given to three steep-sided conical mountains which rise to 2,575 feet and dominate the landscape of this Hebridean island?

ROUND 2 - 'Illusive Allusions'

1.

The novel For Whom The Bell Tolls (by Ernest Hemingway) takes its title from a work by which metaphysical poet?

2.

The title of the novel Eyeless in Gaza (by Aldous Huxley) is a reference to Samson in a work by which 17th century writer?

3.

Bob Dylan's song All Along the Watchtower draws much of its imagery from the biblical book of Isaiah (allegedly).  On which Dylan album did it first appear?

4.

The Beatles' song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is apparently the inspiration for the name Lucy given to one of the earliest fossil hominids found in Ethiopia in 1974.  On which album would these fossil hunters have first heard the song?

5.

Which Beatles' song contains the following lyrics: “Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes”?

6.

Which Dylan song contains the following lyrics: “All the people we used to know, they're an illusion to me now”?

7.

Which 1971 film uses the adagio movement from Mahler's Symphony No. 5 as its main theme?  The main character shares Mahler's forename.

8.

On what classical work of literature is the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou? loosely based?

ROUND 3 - Themed Pictures

1.

This picture depicts actor David Jason in one of his more serious roles, that of Inspector Jack Frost.  In which fictional town did he operate?

2.

According to popular news reports, this is a well-known ‘Lady-in-waiting’.  Who is she?

3.

Name this famous dancer and choreographer who co-founded the Royal Ballet and worked in film, opera and theatre.

4.

This controversial US politician was named by President Bush as his permanent representative to the UN in 2005 despite never receiving full Senate confirmation.  Name him.

5.

This lady was born a commoner but married above her station to become the mother of two English Queens, Mary II & Anne.  Who is she?

6.

Name this English film and theatre director, and also playwright and screenwriter, whose films include Secrets and Lies and whose plays include Nuts in May.

7.

This female cyclist helped add to Britain's tally of Olympic gold medals at the recent Beijing Olympics.  Name her.

8.

The chap to the right of Mick Jagger in this picture is a well-known rock and roll manager and producer who, in addition to managing the Rolling Stones and helping to create their ‘bad boys’ image also discovered and managed Marianne Faithfull and the Small Faces.  Who is he?

ROUND 4 - Pairs

1.

From which fruit is the brandy framboise made?

2.

From which fruit is the brandy slivovitz made?

3.

What word can precede all of the following words: chain, handshake, rule, retriever?

4.

What word can precede all of the following words: kick, leaf, hammer, goal?

5.

Where, in Norfolk, is the shrine to the Virgin Mary built around 1061 by Lady Richeldis?

6.

In which castle in Norfolk was Queen Isabella imprisoned in 1328 for her part in the murder of her husband, King Edward II?

7.

In which 1964 film does the character Ramone Roho  say: "When a man with a 45 meets a man with a rifle, the man with the 'peestel' dies”?

8.

In which 1948 film does the character, Alfonso Bedoya say: "Badges?  We ain't got no badges.  We don't need no badges.  I don't have to show you any stinking badges!"?

ROUND 5 - Hidden theme

1.

In which 1941 Hollywood film did Gary Cooper play the title role for which he won the first of his two Best Actor Oscars?

2.

Which American comedian, television host and political satirist presents the popular satirical news programme The Daily Show, and also hosted the 2006 and 2008 Oscars?

3.

Situated  at the junction of Oxford Street and Regent Street, what part of London is shown in this picture?

4.

Name the English castle and prison shown in this picture.

5.

Formed in 1974, this British punk band took its name from its lead singer.  Often appearing on stage in mediaeval garb and chain-mail armour, their 1981 debut album was called Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary which sold well along with two hit singles Wunderbar and Swords of a Thousand Men.  Name them.

6.

Which actor's most famous role was Detective Sergeant John Watt in the TV series Z Cars (1962-1965) and Softly Softly (1966-1976)?

7.

When launched in 1932, which former French ocean liner had the distinction of being the largest and fastest ship in the world?

8.

One of the main characters in this series of novels by Anthony Trollope, he was heir to the dukedom of Omnium and became Chancellor of the Exchequer.  What was his name?

ROUND 6 - Pairs

1.

Britain's no.1 tennis player, Andy Murray reached the final of the US Open last September by beating which player in the semis?

2.

Which player did Andy Murray then lose to in the final of the US Open?

3.

In which year did the following three songs reach No. 1: The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore (by the Walker Brothers), Sunny Afternoon (by The Kinks), Reach Out, I'll Be There (by The Four Tops)?

4.

In which year did the following three songs reach No.1: Night Fever (by the Bee Gees), Wuthering Heights (by Kate Bush), Rat Trap (by the Boomtown Rats)?

5.

As well as becoming the first black American president, Barack Obama will also be the first president to have been born in which US state?

6.

Hawaii is the last of the 50 American states to be admitted to the Union.  In what year did this occur?

7.

Which country recently ran out of TV aerials after their national team qualified for a World Cup semi-final?

8.

When Fiji won the Melrose Cup by defeating New Zealand in 2005, they became the current world champions in which specific sport?

ROUNDS 7 & 8 - Blockbuster Bingo

Choose the initials of the answer to get your question

1.

PR…a term first popularised by Gibbon to describe the period of peace and minimal expansion within the Empire instigated by Emperor Augustus in 27BC and lasting approximately to 180AD.

2.

ACIGC…a song inspired by Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind; released in 1964 several months after the writer's untimely death, it became an anthem for the 1960s  Civil Rights movement in America; 45 years later its inspiration was evident in President-elect Obama's victory speech.

3.

IC… first installed in London theatres in the early 19th century to protect the audience from fire; from 1946 onwards it took on a significant metaphorical meaning.

4.

FOOC…flagship radio programme since 1955; its unchanging format offers short personal reflections on global affairs.

5.

GMK…title of a Coventry City fanzine, it takes its name from one of the most important goals in the club's history which was deflected in by a part of an opponent's anatomy.

6.

TRBM…name given to one of the most notorious and melodramatic crimes in 19th century England; in 1828, William Corder was eventually hanged in Bury St Edmunds for killing his lover, a molecatcher's daughter, Maria Marten.

7.

TMWSLV…1962 John Ford film, the swansong of the conventional western, its much admired script contains the line: “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend!".

8.

BTP…a phrase meaning to step outside the permitted boundaries; originally used in 13th century Ireland when only the south-eastern counties were under the control of the English.

9.

HZ…the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles.

10.

SVDP…French-born catholic saint who lived from 1587 to 1660; known for his compassion for the poor he was a chaplain to galley slaves; Ireland's largest catholic charity is named after him; he is also the patron saint of Madagascar.                 

11.

TOMOH…450 foot high sea-stack perched on the western side of one of the Orkneys; it was first climbed in 1966 (although not by Lulu as claimed in a Monty Python episode).

12.

HITS …one of a series of landscape paintings by Brueghel the Elder depicting life in the different seasons; this one was finished in 1565 and is frequently reproduced on Christmas cards.

13.

TLLBS…unlamented BBC light entertainment programme that ran from 1982 to 1986; it was taken off the air after Michael Lush was killed in a bungee jump stunt that went wrong.

14.

S-ELOTL…final track on Bob Dylan's 1966 album Blonde on Blonde.

15.

COTR…formed under Napoleon in 1806, but collapsed in 1813, its formation meant the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.

16.

TTM…famously well-preserved mummified corpse from the 4th century BC, found in 1950 in a peat bog at this place on the Jutland peninsula in Denmark.

17.

HITR…first published collection of poems by Ted Hughes, it won the Somerset Maugham prize in 1957.

18.

SIASJ…what a 13 year-old boy is supposed to have said to baseball legend 'Shoeless’ Joe Jackson as he left court accused of taking a bribe to throw the 1919 world series.

19.

AT…acclaimed drama anthology series shown on ITV on Sunday evenings between 1956 and 1968; the plays were originally recorded live in the ABC studios in Didsbury.

20.

NIPO…controversial and sensitive post set up in 1998, it was held by Nuala O' Loan from 1998 to 2007.

Spares

1.

Of the three space shuttles currently in operation, which one has recently docked with the International Space Station with materials to create room for three more astronauts?

2.

Which of the space shuttles exploded shortly before coming into land, killing all 7 astronauts aboard, on 1st February 2003?

3.

The 200th anniversary of the birth of which two famous people will be commemorated on 12th February 2009?

4.

Which two famous people both died on 23rd April 1616?

5.

Which politician was recently referred to by some elements of the press as 'Caribou Barbie'?

6.

Which US politician was Barack Obama's running mate and currently his Vice President-elect?

ROUND 1 - Hidden theme

1.

Which song did Andy Fairweather-Low take to number 6 in the charts in late 1975?

Wide-Eyed and Legless

2.

Which popular actress is the widow of playwright, Jack Rosenthal?

Maureen Lipman

3.

Which central defender, who died in 2006, played a total of 534 games for Everton and won 26 English caps between 1962 and 1970?

Brian Labone

4.

Who is the current Head Coach of the Ireland Rugby Union team?

Declan Kidney

5.

Which verb can mean either to feed on twigs, leaves and scanty vegetation or to read in a desultory manner?

Browse

6.

In American creole cooking, what name is given to a thick soup or stew made from meat or shellfish with various vegetables and spices?

Gumbo

7.

If the first track is Holidays in the Sun and the last track is EMI, what is the chart topping album?

Never Mind The Bollocks(Here's The Sex Pistols)

8.

What collective name is given to three steep-sided conical mountains which rise to 2,575 feet and dominate the landscape of this Hebridean island?

The Paps of Jura

ROUND 2 - 'Illusive Allusions'

1.

The novel For Whom The Bell Tolls (by Ernest Hemingway) takes its title from a work by which metaphysical poet?

John Donne

(Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions)

2.

The title of the novel Eyeless in Gaza (by Aldous Huxley) is a reference to Samson in a work by which 17th century writer?

John Milton

(Samson Agonistes)

3.

Bob Dylan's song All Along the Watchtower draws much of its imagery from the biblical book of Isaiah (allegedly).  On which Dylan album did it first appear?

John Wesley Harding

4.

The Beatles' song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is apparently the inspiration for the name Lucy given to one of the earliest fossil hominids found in Ethiopia in 1974.  On which album would these fossil hunters have first heard the song?

Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

5.

Which Beatles' song contains the following lyrics: “Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes”?

Across The Universe

(from Let It Be)

6.

Which Dylan song contains the following lyrics: “All the people we used to know, they're an illusion to me now”?

Tangled Up In Blue

(from Blood On The Tracks)

7.

Which 1971 film uses the adagio movement from Mahler's Symphony No. 5 as its main theme?  The main character shares Mahler's forename.

Death in Venice

8.

On what classical work of literature is the 2000 film O Brother, Where Art Thou? loosely based?

The Odyssey

ROUND 3 - Themed Pictures

1.

This picture depicts actor David Jason in one of his more serious roles, that of Inspector Jack Frost.  In which fictional town did he operate?

Denton

2.

According to popular news reports, this is a well-known ‘Lady-in-waiting’.  Who is she?

Kate Middleton

(presumably waiting for her boyfriend, Prince William to propose)

3.

Name this famous dancer and choreographer who co-founded the Royal Ballet and worked in film, opera and theatre.

(Sir) Frederick Ashton

4.

This controversial US politician was named by President Bush as his permanent representative to the UN in 2005 despite never receiving full Senate confirmation.  Name him.

John Bolton

5.

This lady was born a commoner but married above her station to become the mother of two English Queens, Mary II & Anne.  Who is she?

Anne Hyde

6.

Name this English film and theatre director, and also playwright and screenwriter, whose films include Secrets and Lies and whose plays include Nuts in May.

Mike Leigh

7.

This female cyclist helped add to Britain's tally of Olympic gold medals at the recent Beijing Olympics.  Name her.

Victoria Pendleton

8.

The chap to the right of Mick Jagger in this picture is a well-known rock and roll manager and producer who, in addition to managing the Rolling Stones and helping to create their ‘bad boys’ image also discovered and managed Marianne Faithfull and the Small Faces.  Who is he?

Andrew Loog Oldham

ROUND 4 - Pairs

1.

From which fruit is the brandy framboise made?

Raspberries

2.

From which fruit is the brandy slivovitz made?

Plums

3.

What word can precede all of the following words: chain, handshake, rule, retriever?

Golden

4.

What word can precede all of the following words: kick, leaf, hammer, goal?

Drop

5.

Where, in Norfolk, is the shrine to the Virgin Mary built around 1061 by Lady Richeldis?

Walsingham

6.

In which castle in Norfolk was Queen Isabella imprisoned in 1328 for her part in the murder of her husband, King Edward II?

Castle Rising

7.

In which 1964 film does the character Ramone Roho  say: "When a man with a 45 meets a man with a rifle, the man with the 'peestel' dies”?

A Fistful of Dollars

8.

In which 1948 film does the character, Alfonso Bedoya say: "Badges?  We ain't got no badges.  We don't need no badges.  I don't have to show you any stinking badges!"?

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

ROUND 5 - Hidden theme

1

In which 1941 Hollywood film did Gary Cooper play the title role for which he won the first of his two Best Actor Oscars?

Sergeant York

(the second was for High Noon)

2.

Which American comedian, television host and political satirist presents the popular satirical news programme The Daily Show, and also hosted the 2006 and 2008 Oscars?

Jon Stewart

3.

Situated  at the junction of Oxford Street and Regent Street, what part of London is shown in this picture?

Hanover Square

4.

Name the English castle and prison shown in this picture.

Lancaster Castle

5.

Formed in 1974, this British punk band took its name from its lead singer.  Often appearing on stage in mediaeval garb and chain-mail armour, their 1981 debut album was called Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary which sold well along with two hit singles Wunderbar and Swords of a Thousand Men.  Name them.

Tenpole Tudor

(named after their leader, Edward Tudor-Pole)

6.

Which actor's most famous role was Detective Sergeant John Watt in the TV series Z Cars (1962-1965) and Softly Softly (1966-1976)?

Frank Windsor

7.

When launched in 1932, which former French ocean liner had the distinction of being the largest and fastest ship in the world?

The Normandie

8.

One of the main characters in this series of novels by Anthony Trollope, he was heir to the dukedom of Omnium and became Chancellor of the Exchequer.  What was his name?

Plantagenet Palliser

(from The Palliser series of novels)

ROUND 6 - Pairs

1

Britain's no.1 tennis player, Andy Murray reached the final of the US Open last September by beating which player in the semis?

Raphael Nadal

2.

Which player did Andy Murray then lose to in the final of the US Open?

Roger Federer

3.

In which year did the following three songs reach No. 1: The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore (by the Walker Brothers), Sunny Afternoon (by The Kinks), Reach Out, I'll Be There (by The Four Tops)?

1966

4.

In which year did the following three songs reach No.1: Night Fever (by the Bee Gees), Wuthering Heights (by Kate Bush), Rat Trap (by the Boomtown Rats)?

1978

5.

As well as becoming the first black American president, Barack Obama will also be the first president to have been born in which US state?

Hawaii

6.

Hawaii is the last of the 50 American states to be admitted to the Union.  In what year did this occur?

1959

7.

Which country recently ran out of TV aerials after their national team qualified for a World Cup semi-final?

Fiji

(sadly they were beaten by Australia in the Rugby League World Cup)

8.

When Fiji won the Melrose Cup by defeating New Zealand in 2005, they became the current world champions in which specific sport?

Rugby Sevens

ROUNDS 7 & 8 - Blockbuster Bingo

Choose the initials of the answer to get your question

1.

PR…a term first popularised by Gibbon to describe the period of peace and minimal expansion within the Empire instigated by Emperor Augustus in 27BC and lasting approximately to 180AD.

Pax Romana

2.

ACIGC…a song inspired by Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind; released in 1964 several months after the writer's untimely death, it became an anthem for the 1960s  Civil Rights movement in America; 45 years later its inspiration was evident in President-elect Obama's victory speech.

A Change is Gonna Come

(by Sam Cooke)

3.

IC… first installed in London theatres in the early 19th century to protect the audience from fire; from 1946 onwards it took on a significant metaphorical meaning.

Iron Curtain

4.

FOOC…flagship radio programme since 1955; its unchanging format offers short personal reflections on global affairs.

From Our Own Correspondent

5.

GMK…title of a Coventry City fanzine, it takes its name from one of the most important goals in the club's history which was deflected in by a part of an opponent's anatomy.

Gary Mabutt's Knee

6.

TRBM…name given to one of the most notorious and melodramatic crimes in 19th century England; in 1828, William Corder was eventually hanged in Bury St Edmunds for killing his lover, a molecatcher's daughter, Maria Marten.

The Red Barn Murder

7.

TMWSLV…1962 John Ford film, the swansong of the conventional western, its much admired script contains the line: “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend!".

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

8.

BTP…a phrase meaning to step outside the permitted boundaries; originally used in 13th century Ireland when only the south-eastern counties were under the control of the English.

Beyond the pale

9.

HZ…the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles.

Herpes zoster

10.

SVDP…French-born catholic saint who lived from 1587 to 1660; known for his compassion for the poor he was a chaplain to galley slaves; Ireland's largest catholic charity is named after him; he is also the patron saint of Madagascar.                 

Saint Vincent de Paul

11.

TOMOH…450 foot high sea-stack perched on the western side of one of the Orkneys; it was first climbed in 1966 (although not by Lulu as claimed in a Monty Python episode).

The Old Man of Hoy

12.

HITS …one of a series of landscape paintings by Brueghel the Elder depicting life in the different seasons; this one was finished in 1565 and is frequently reproduced on Christmas cards.

Hunters in the Snow

13.

TLLBS…unlamented BBC light entertainment programme that ran from 1982 to 1986; it was taken off the air after Michael Lush was killed in a bungee jump stunt that went wrong.

The Late Late Breakfast Show

14

S-ELOTL…final track on Bob Dylan's 1966 album Blonde on Blonde.

Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands

15.

COTR…formed under Napoleon in 1806, but collapsed in 1813, its formation meant the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.

Confederation of the Rhine

16.

TTM…famously well-preserved mummified corpse from the 4th century BC, found in 1950 in a peat bog at this place on the Jutland peninsula in Denmark.

The Tollund Man

17.

HITR…first published collection of poems by Ted Hughes, it won the Somerset Maugham prize in 1957.

Hawk in the Rain

18.

SIASJ…what a 13 year-old boy is supposed to have said to baseball legend 'Shoeless’ Joe Jackson as he left court accused of taking a bribe to throw the 1919 world series.

“Say it ain't so, Joe!"

19.

AT…acclaimed drama anthology series shown on ITV on Sunday evenings between 1956 and 1968; the plays were originally recorded live in the ABC studios in Didsbury.

Armchair Theatre

20.

NIPO…controversial and sensitive post set up in 1998, it was held by Nuala O' Loan from 1998 to 2007.

Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman

1.

Of the three space shuttles currently in operation, which one has recently docked with the International Space Station with materials to create room for three more astronauts?

Endeavour

2.

Which of the space shuttles exploded shortly before coming into land, killing all 7 astronauts aboard, on 1st February 2003?

Columbia

3.

The 200th anniversary of the birth of which two famous people will be commemorated on 12th February 2009?

Abraham Lincoln & Charles Darwin

4.

Which two famous people both died on 23rd April 1616?

William Shakespeare & Miguel de Cervantes

5.

Which politician was recently referred to by some elements of the press as 'Caribou Barbie'?

Sarah Palin

(former would-be Vice President-elect)

6.

Which US politician was Barack Obama's running mate and currently his Vice President-elect?

(Senator) Joe Biden

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