ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

Which novelist won the Booker Prize in 2005 with The Sea, and has a sideline writing thrillers under the pseudonym Benjamin Black?

2.

Which author won the Booker Prize in 1990 for Possession?  She is the sister of fellow novelist Margaret Drabble.

3.

What was the stage name of the great blues performer McKinley Morganfield?

4.

What was the stage name of the great rock singer and friend of Frank Zappa, Don van Vliet?

5.

Which philosopher published The Varieties of Religious Experience in 1902 and was the brother of a famous novelist?

6.

Which philosopher's brother Paul lost his right hand in the first world war and commissioned Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in 1929?

7.

Which British actress's father Eric wrote and narrated the English language version of The Magic Roundabout?

8.

Which British actress is the great granddaughter of wartime prime minister Herbert Asquith?

Sp1

Which football club set the world record for the highest ever winning margin in a UK competitive match, beating Bon Accord 36-nil in 1885?

Sp2

Which football club did Stockport County beat 13-nil in 1934, setting the Football League's biggest win record?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Pot Pourri

1.

What is the alternative name of the Andean bear, Tremarctos ornatus, owing to its facial markings?

2.

Which dangerous delicacy is called Fugu in Japan?

3.

Who was the first English monarch to reign for more than half a century?

4.

Which composer, who died in 1953, wrote the Dance of the Knights, used as the theme tune for The Apprentice TV show in the UK?

5.

Name the writer whose father Joseph kept a shop in Bromley who and was the first bowler to take four wickets in four balls in county cricket while playing for Kent in 1862.

6.

Which American comedian wrote: “I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying”?

7.

Name the Roman poet, famous for Metamorphoses, who was exiled to the Black Sea by the Emperor Augustus.

8.

Which ten-letter word completes the title of this book published in 1939 by Sigmund Freud: Moses and.......?

Sp.

In which East Anglian town was Thomas Paine, author of The Rights of Man, born in 1737?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - More Pot Pourri

1.

What is missing from this list: Wisley, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor, Harlow Carr…...?

2.

Which Accrington-born composer, who was a member of the so-called New Music Manchester group, died in April 2022 aged 87?

3.

Brad Majors and Janet Weiss are characters in which cult 1975 film?

4.

Which decade saw the death of Titian and the birth of Caravaggio?

5.

Carrauntuohill, the highest peak on the island of Ireland, is located in which County?

6.

On a standard London Monopoly board, which square can be found diagonally opposite the Electric Company?

7.

Which three similar-sounding words can be defined as:

• A communication system used on racecourses

• A style of football based around short passing and quick movement

• A social media platform, called Douyin in China, featuring short videos

8.

Who was elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone on 9 April 1981?  At the time, this person was the youngest MP in the House of Commons.  They died only 27 days later.

Sp.

Which mountainous region of Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri gives its name to a Netflix series first aired in 2017?

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Picture Round

You will see a photo of a famous woman who has an equally famous partner or spouse - all you need to do is name their other half

1.

This actress, daughter of another famous actress, is married to which northern singer?  Alongside his singing career, he DJs on BBC 6 Music.

2.

This writer and broadcaster was, until 2012, a newsreader and continuity announcer on BBC Radio 4.  She is married to which TV and radio personality whose autobiography was entitled My Animals and Other Family?

3.

This Australian actress and model appeared in Ally McBeal, Arrested Development and Nip/Tuck, amongst others.  She is the wife of which American comedian, actress, chat show host, who was responsible for 'that selfie' taken at the 86th Academy Awards.

4.

This scientist was made a Dame in 2013 for services to the NHS.  However, her specialism is solar power.  She has held many positions, including non-executive director at Anglia TV and Chair of The Science Museum Group.  Her husband is an author who has sold over 300 million books.  Who is he?

5.

This author and columnist worked for Tatler, The Times and Daily Mail.  Which dad-dancing politician did she marry in 2001?

6.

This journalist and former special adviser to Cherie Blair now specialises in writing about education.  She is married to which high-profile political figure who hosts the podcast The Rest is Politics, along with Rory Stewart?

7.

This French writer had numerous affairs, but her most famous affair was with which composer who wrote the Little Dog Waltz for her pet dog?

8.

This writer wrote her most famous novel following a competition with her lover and soon-to-be husband and Lord Byron to see who would write the best horror story.  She won, but who is her equally famous poet husband?

Sp.

The curse of Strictly.  This woman won not only Strictly but the dancer she was partnered with.  Who is her dancer partner?

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - 'Q: What do you call an idiot who hangs around with musicians?    A: The drummer'

Each answer refers to a famous percussionist

1.

Name the anarchic BBC sitcom with three main characters that was first broadcast in 1987.  Written by Ben Elton, it starred Rick Mayall, Adrian Edmonson and Nigel Planer.

2.

Which parliamentary constituency in Cumbria includes the towns of Whitehaven and Keswick?

3.

Which American children’s author, born in 1899, wrote works including Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little?

4.

Which pop song was first released in 1977 by Rose Royce and covered by Jay-Z in 1998, with a guest appearance by the original singer Gwen Dickie?

5.

Which 1989 film, nominated for four Oscars, starred Beau Bridges, Jeff Bridges and Michelle Pfeiffer?

6.

If you mix a cocktail using gin, lemon juice, sugar and carbonated water, what is it called?

7.

Which British politician was born in 1912, christened John and first came to prominence when appointed Professor of Greek at the University of Sydney at the age of 25?

8.

Name the neighbourhood of southern Los Angeles that was the site of riots against police racism in 1965.  It is now the home of a famous sculptural tower.

Sp1

Which astronaut became the second American to orbit the Earth in 1962?

Sp2

In a 1946 essay, George Orwell described his ideal pub.  What was its name, now shared by a real pub in Manchester city centre?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - 'Who is the biggest show off in a band? No – not the singer but the saxophone player.'

Each answer contains the name of a celebrated saxophonist - usual WithQuiz shenanigans apply

1.

Sticking with the drummer theme...  What was the name of the Foo Fighters drummer who died whilst the band were on tour in Columbia?

2.

Who played the wife to Tom Hollander’s titular character Rev in the BBC TV series?

3.

Running for five series from 1975 to 1978, what was the name of the ITV comedy series starring Tony Selby, Robert Lindsay and David Janson, featuring the antics of young men on their National Service in the RAF?

4.

Who was the original producer and presenter on the quiz show Fifteen to One?

5.

Founded in 1979 by Debbie Moore, what is the name of the dance studio that started the craze of leggings and legwarmers and other dancewear?

6.

What is the name of the book, film and subsequent successful musical written by Mel Brookes which parodies the horror film genre, especially from the 1930s?

7.

Who played the role of the vengeful prison officer in the original series of Porridge?  He was often the victim of Fletcher and Godber’s pranks.

8.

Which US football team had to change its name due to racist connotations of its original moniker?

Sp.

What did Michael Parkinson promise to give you “just for enquiring” on behalf of Sunlight Direct Insurance?

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUNDS 7 & 8 - Connecting Wall Bingo Round 

A Bingo round based on the Connecting Wall as featured on the BBC TV quiz programme Only Connect

Team members are invited to choose a square based on its title and hope for the best

1.

BECKHAM

David Beckham was famously sent off playing for England against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup Finals, but in which French city did the match take place?  The local team are no longer the force they once were in French football.

2.

KELLY

Taking his stage name from an American gangster of the Prohibition era, who is rapper, singer and actor Colson Baker better known as?

3.

R

Which six letter word beginning with the letter 'R' connects a castle in Wales, a type of sleeve that extends in one piece fully to the collar, and a road in Dublin immortalised in song that has been performed by artists including Luke Kelly, Sinead O’Connor and Ed Sheeran, amongst many others?

4.

CHRISTIAN

Christian Bale won a Golden Globe and was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Dick Cheney in which 2018 film?

5.

COOGAN

Steve Coogan’s most famous character, Alan Partridge, made his first TV appearance in 1994 on which BBC comedy series that parodied TV news and current affairs programmes?

6.

7.

NIVEN

David Niven played Squadron Leader Peter Carter whose plane is shot down over the English Channel in which classic 1946 Powell and Pressburger film?

8.

WALES
Wales are one of three potential opponents that could meet England in Group B of the 2022 World Cup on Tuesday 29 November.  The play-offs to decide the final qualifying place have been delayed until June.  Who are the other two teams who could yet win through to face the 'Three Lions'?

9.

LORRAINE

In which City in north-eastern France, located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers, would you find the University of Lorraine?

10.

JAMES

Name any one of the three NBA teams that LeBron James has played for in his long and distinguished basketball career?

11.

ESSEX

Immortalised in song by Ian Dury and one of the main settings for the TV series Gavin and Stacey, which Essex town counts Teresa Gorman and Harvey Proctor among its former MPs?

12.

MARX

The third largest city in the German state of Saxony was known as Karl-Marx-Stadt between 1953 and 1990.  After reunification it reverted to its old name.  What is that name?

13.

GRACE

Which band released the album If I Should Fall From Grace with God in 1988?  Track number four on the album is one of the biggest selling songs of all time in the UK and a perennial visitor to the charts, though in recent years the language used therein has become problematic.

14.

JASON

Which actor played the role of successful adventure author turned sleuth Jason King in the TV series Department S and its subsequent eponymous spin-off, Jason King?

15.

WALKER

Which novel by Alice Walker won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction?  It was later adapted into a film of the same name.

16.

GENE

Which actor played the role of DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC sci fi/police drama Life on Mars and its sequel Ashes to Ashes?

17.

CAMERON

Cameron Frye is the best friend of the titular character (played by Matthew Broderick) in which classic American teen slacker movie released in 1986?

As an additional challenge - just for fun - the two teams might like to work together to find the 4 connections that link the 16 key words into 4 groups of 4

Go to Rounds 7 & 8 questions with answers

Tiebreaker

What is the height, in metres, of the Matterhorn?

Go to Tiebreaker question with answer

ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

Which novelist won the Booker Prize in 2005 with The Sea, and has a sideline writing thrillers under the pseudonym Benjamin Black?

John Banville

2.

Which author won the Booker Prize in 1990 for Possession?  She is the sister of fellow novelist Margaret Drabble.

A S Byatt

3.

What was the stage name of the great blues performer McKinley Morganfield?

Muddy Waters

4.

What was the stage name of the great rock singer and friend of Frank Zappa, Don van Vliet?

Captain Beefheart

5.

Which philosopher published The Varieties of Religious Experience in 1902 and was the brother of a famous novelist?

William James

(brother of Henry)

6.

Which philosopher's brother Paul lost his right hand in the first world war and commissioned Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in 1929?

Ludwig Wittgenstein

(surname will suffice)

7.

Which British actress's father Eric wrote and narrated the English language version of The Magic Roundabout?

Emma Thompson

8.

Which British actress is the great granddaughter of wartime prime minister Herbert Asquith?

Helena Bonham-Carter

Sp1

Which football club set the world record for the highest ever winning margin in a UK competitive match, beating Bon Accord 36-nil in 1885?

Arbroath

Sp2

Which football club did Stockport County beat 13-nil in 1934, setting the Football League's biggest win record?

Halifax Town

ROUND 2 - Pot Pourri

1.

What is the alternative name of the Andean bear, Tremarctos ornatus, owing to its facial markings?

Spectacled bear

2.

Which dangerous delicacy is called Fugu in Japan?

Pufferfish

3.

Who was the first English monarch to reign for more than half a century?

Henry III

(1216-72)

4.

Which composer, who died in 1953, wrote the Dance of the Knights, used as the theme tune for The Apprentice TV show in the UK?

Sergey Prokofiev

(surname will suffice)

5.

Name the writer whose father Joseph kept a shop in Bromley who and was the first bowler to take four wickets in four balls in county cricket while playing for Kent in 1862.

H G Wells

6.

Which American comedian wrote: “I don't want to achieve immortality through my work, I want to achieve immortality by not dying”?

Woody Allen

7.

Name the Roman poet, famous for Metamorphoses, who was exiled to the Black Sea by the Emperor Augustus.

Ovid

8.

Which ten-letter word completes the title of this book published in 1939 by Sigmund Freud: Moses and.......?

....Monotheism

Sp.

In which East Anglian town was Thomas Paine, author of The Rights of Man, born in 1737?

Thetford

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - More Pot Pourri

1.

What is missing from this list: Wisley, Hyde Hall, Rosemoor, Harlow Carr…...?

Bridgewater

(RHS Gardens)

2.

Which Accrington-born composer, who was a member of the so-called New Music Manchester group, died in April 2022 aged 87?

Harrison Birtwistle

3.

Brad Majors and Janet Weiss are characters in which cult 1975 film?

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

4.

Which decade saw the death of Titian and the birth of Caravaggio?

1570s

5.

Carrauntuohill, the highest peak on the island of Ireland, is located in which County?

County Kerry

6.

On a standard London Monopoly board, which square can be found diagonally opposite the Electric Company?

Oxford Street

7.

Which three similar-sounding words can be defined as:

• A communication system used on racecourses

• A style of football based around short passing and quick movement

• A social media platform, called Douyin in China, featuring short videos

Tic-tac,

Tiki-taka,

Tik-Tok

8.

Who was elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone on 9 April 1981?  At the time, this person was the youngest MP in the House of Commons.  They died only 27 days later.

Bobby Sands

Sp.

Which mountainous region of Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri gives its name to a Netflix series first aired in 2017?

Ozarks

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Picture Round

You will see a photo of a famous woman who has an equally famous partner or spouse - all you need to do is name their other half

1.

This actress, daughter of another famous actress, is married to which northern singer?  Alongside his singing career, he DJs on BBC 6 Music.

Guy Garvey

(she is Rachel Stirling)

2.

This writer and broadcaster was, until 2012, a newsreader and continuity announcer on BBC Radio 4.  She is married to which TV and radio personality whose autobiography was entitled My Animals and Other Family?

Clare Balding

(she is Alice Arnold)

3.

This Australian actress and model appeared in Ally McBeal, Arrested Development and Nip/Tuck, amongst others.  She is the wife of which American comedian, actress, chat show host, who was responsible for 'that selfie' taken at the 86th Academy Awards.

Ellen De Generes

(she is Portia de Rossi)

4.

This scientist was made a Dame in 2013 for services to the NHS.  However, her specialism is solar power.  She has held many positions, including non-executive director at Anglia TV and Chair of The Science Museum Group.  Her husband is an author who has sold over 300 million books.  Who is he?

Jeffery Archer

(she is Mary Archer)

5.

This author and columnist worked for Tatler, The Times and Daily Mail.  Which dad-dancing politician did she marry in 2001?

Michael Gove

(she is Sarah Vine)

6.

This journalist and former special adviser to Cherie Blair now specialises in writing about education.  She is married to which high-profile political figure who hosts the podcast The Rest is Politics, along with Rory Stewart?

Alastair Campbell

(she is Fiona Millar)

7.

This French writer had numerous affairs, but her most famous affair was with which composer who wrote the Little Dog Waltz for her pet dog?

Frederic Chopin

(she is George Sand)

8.

This writer wrote her most famous novel following a competition with her lover and soon-to-be husband and Lord Byron to see who would write the best horror story.  She won, but who is her equally famous poet husband?

Percy Bysshe Shelley

(she is Mary Shelley, nee Wollstonecraft)

Sp.

The curse of Strictly.  This woman won not only Strictly but the dancer she was partnered with.  Who is her dancer partner?

Kevin Clifton

(she is Stacey Dooley)

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 - 'Q: What do you call an idiot who hangs around with musicians?    A: The drummer'

Each answer refers to a famous percussionist

1.

Name the anarchic BBC sitcom with three main characters that was first broadcast in 1987.  Written by Ben Elton, it starred Rick Mayall, Adrian Edmonson and Nigel Planer.

Filthy, Rich and Catflap

(Buddy Rich)

2.

Which parliamentary constituency in Cumbria includes the towns of Whitehaven and Keswick?

Copeland

(Stuart Copeland of The Police)

3.

Which American children’s author, born in 1899, wrote works including Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little?

E B White

(Meg White, White Stripes)

4.

Which pop song was first released in 1977 by Rose Royce and covered by Jay-Z in 1998, with a guest appearance by the original singer Gwen Dickie?

Wishing on a Star

(Ringo Starr)

5.

Which 1989 film, nominated for four Oscars, starred Beau Bridges, Jeff Bridges and Michelle Pfeiffer?

(Ginger Baker)

6.

If you mix a cocktail using gin, lemon juice, sugar and carbonated water, what is it called?

Tom Collins

(Phil Collins)

7.

Which British politician was born in 1912, christened John and first came to prominence when appointed Professor of Greek at the University of Sydney at the age of 25?

Enoch Powell

(Cozy Powell)

8.

Name the neighbourhood of southern Los Angeles that was the site of riots against police racism in 1965.  It is now the home of a famous sculptural tower.

Watts

(Charlie Watts)

Sp1

Which astronaut became the second American to orbit the Earth in 1962?

Scott Carpenter

(Karen was the drummer in The Carpenters)

Sp2

In a 1946 essay, George Orwell described his ideal pub.  What was its name, now shared by a real pub in Manchester city centre?

The Moon Under Water

(Keith Moon)

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - 'Who is the biggest show off in a band? No – not the singer but the saxophone player.'

Each answer contains the name of a celebrated saxophonist - usual WithQuiz shenanigans apply

1.

Sticking with the drummer theme...  What was the name of the Foo Fighters drummer who died whilst the band were on tour in Columbia?

Taylor Hawkins

(Coleman Hawkins)

2.

Who played the wife to Tom Hollander’s titular character Rev in the BBC TV series?

Olivia Colman

(Ornette Coleman)

3.

Running for five series from 1975 to 1978, what was the name of the ITV comedy series starring Tony Selby, Robert Lindsay and David Janson, featuring the antics of young men on their National Service in the RAF?

Get Some In

(Stan Getz)

4.

Who was the original producer and presenter on the quiz show Fifteen to One?

(Kenny G)

5.

Founded in 1979 by Debbie Moore, what is the name of the dance studio that started the craze of leggings and legwarmers and other dancewear?

Pineapple Dance Studios

(Courtney Pine)

6.

What is the name of the book, film and subsequent successful musical written by Mel Brookes which parodies the horror film genre, especially from the 1930s?

Young Frankenstein

(Lester Young)

7.

Who played the role of the vengeful prison officer in the original series of Porridge?  He was often the victim of Fletcher and Godber’s pranks.

Fulton Mackay

(Andy Mackay)

8.

Which US football team had to change its name due to racist connotations of its original moniker?

Washington Football Team

(Grover Washington)

Sp.

What did Michael Parkinson promise to give you “just for enquiring” on behalf of Sunlight Direct Insurance?

A free Parker pen

(Charlie Parker)

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUNDS 7 & 8 - Connecting Wall Bingo Round 

A Bingo round based on the Connecting Wall as featured on the BBC TV quiz programme Only Connect

Team members are invited to choose a square based on its title and hope for the best

1.

BECKHAM

David Beckham was famously sent off playing for England against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup Finals, but in which French city did the match take place?  The local team are no longer the force they once were in French football.

Saint-Étienne

2.

KELLY

Taking his stage name from an American gangster of the Prohibition era, who is rapper, singer and actor Colson Baker better known as?

Machine Gun Kelly

3.

R

Which six letter word beginning with the letter 'R' connects a castle in Wales, a type of sleeve that extends in one piece fully to the collar, and a road in Dublin immortalised in song that has been performed by artists including Luke Kelly, Sinead O’Connor and Ed Sheeran, amongst many others?

Raglan

4.

CHRISTIAN

Christian Bale won a Golden Globe and was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Dick Cheney in which 2018 film?

Vice

5.

COOGAN

Steve Coogan’s most famous character, Alan Partridge, made his first TV appearance in 1994 on which BBC comedy series that parodied TV news and current affairs programmes?

The Day Today

6.

Who starred in the title role of the 1945 swashbuckler Captain Kidd?  According to Nikita Kruschev’s memoirs it was one of Josef Stalin’s favourite films.  10 years earlier the actor in question had played another sea-faring Captain of a very different stripe.

Charles Laughton

7.

NIVEN

David Niven played Squadron Leader Peter Carter whose plane is shot down over the English Channel in which classic 1946 Powell and Pressburger film?

A Matter of Life and Death

8.

WALES
Wales are one of three potential opponents that could meet England in Group B of the 2022 World Cup on Tuesday 29 November.  The play-offs to decide the final qualifying place have been delayed until June.  Who are the other two teams who could yet win through to face the 'Three Lions'?

Scotland and Ukraine

9.

LORRAINE

In which City in north-eastern France, located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers, would you find the University of Lorraine?

Metz

10.

JAMES

Name any one of the three NBA teams that LeBron James has played for in his long and distinguished basketball career?

Cleveland Cavaliers

or Miami Heat

or Los Angeles Lakers

11.

ESSEX

Immortalised in song by Ian Dury and one of the main settings for the TV series Gavin and Stacey, which Essex town counts Teresa Gorman and Harvey Proctor among its former MPs?

Billericay

12.

MARX

The third largest city in the German state of Saxony was known as Karl-Marx-Stadt between 1953 and 1990.  After reunification it reverted to its old name.  What is that name?

Chemnitz

13.

GRACE

Which band released the album If I Should Fall From Grace with God in 1988?  Track number four on the album is one of the biggest selling songs of all time in the UK and a perennial visitor to the charts, though in recent years the language used therein has become problematic.

The Pogues

14.

JASON

Which actor played the role of successful adventure author turned sleuth Jason King in the TV series Department S and its subsequent eponymous spin-off, Jason King?

Peter Wyngarde

15.

WALKER

Which novel by Alice Walker won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction?  It was later adapted into a film of the same name.

The Color Purple

16.

GENE

Which actor played the role of DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC sci fi/police drama Life on Mars and its sequel Ashes to Ashes?

Philip Glenister

17.

CAMERON

Cameron Frye is the best friend of the titular character (played by Matthew Broderick) in which classic American teen slacker movie released in 1986?

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

As an additional challenge - just for fun - the two teams might like to work together to find the 4 connections that link the 16 key words into 4 groups of 4

The groupings are:

FAMOUS DAVIDS: Beckham – Niven – Essex – Jason 

CLINT EASTWOOD MOVIES HIM IN THE TITLE ROLE: Kelly’s Heroes – Coogan’s Bluff – The Outlaw Josey Wales – Joe Kidd 

NOTABLE PEOPLE WITH THE SURNAME KELLY: R Kelly – Lorraine Kelly – Grace Kelly – Gene Kelly 

SETS OF BROTHERS: Christian Brothers – James Brothers – Marx Brothers – Walker Brothers

Go back to Rounds 7 & 8 questions without answers

Tiebreaker

What is the height, in metres, of the Matterhorn?

4,478m

Go back to Tiebreaker question without answer