ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

What is the real name of the performer known as Fish, lead singer of Marillion from 1981 to 1988?

2.

Name the novelist and comedy scriptwriter, best known for the Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, who died in 2015.

3.

Could It Be Magic, written by Barry Manilow, was a pop hit for Take That in 1992, but which classical composer's Prelude Opus 28 number 20 inspired the melody?

4.

All By Myself was a pop hit for Eric Carmen in 1975, but which classical composer's Piano Concerto number 2 inspired the melody?

5.

Which English poet worked as a farm labourer and was resident in Northampton General Lunatic Asylum from 1841 until his death in 1864?

6.

Which English poet, whose work was unpublished in his lifetime, became a Jesuit priest in 1870 and died in Dublin in 1889?

7.

A S Byatt won the Booker Prize in 1990 with Possession, but what's the name of her sister, also a novelist?

8.

What is the surname of the sisters Gudrun and Ursula who appear in two D H Lawrence novels, The Rainbow and Women in Love?

Sp1

Which Belgian-born anthropologist, author of The Raw and the Cooked, died in 2009 at the age of 100?

Sp2

Which Jamaican-born academic, who was Professor of Sociology at the Open University and died in 2014, shared his name with a disgraced TV presenter?

Sp3

What name (with different spellings) links a 14th century English bible translator and a Haitian rapper?

Sp4

What six-letter name is shared by the capital of the Comoros Islands and the angel who allegedly revealed the Golden Plates of The Book of Mormon to Joseph Smith?

Go to Round 1 questions with answers

ROUND 2 - Announced theme - 'The X Philes'

Every answer contains an 'x'

1.

By what name is the 20th century musician whose first names were Leon Bismark better known?

2.

Which chemical element, discovered in 1894 by Ramsay and Travers, has a name that means 'stranger'?

3.

Which American actor, who died in 1940, appeared in 291 films and was regarded as Hollywood's first Western star?

4.

Which politician was ruler of Albania from 1941 to 1985?

5.

Which English classical composer, whose famous works include Tintagel, was knighted in 1937 and became Master of the King's Music in 1941?

6.

Name the British heating equipment manufacturing company founded in Preston in 1866 and now part of a global conglomerate.

7.

Which six-letter word for a clothing item is named after a community founded in 1886 by Pierre Lorillard IV and thought to be adapted from the Algonquin language?

8.

Name the London-born film maker and screenwriter, a pioneer of feminist cinema, who directed 12 feature films including Rattle of a Simple Man in 1964.

Sp1

Which Victorian scientist and author was such a forceful advocate for natural selection he was known as 'Darwin's Bulldog'?

Sp2

In finance, what is the five-letter term for the global currency trading market?

Go to Round 2 questions with answers

ROUND 3 - 'Not Mr & Mrs'

In this round there are two clues to two different people who happen to share the same surname - one male, one female.  You need to provide both first names and the shared surname.

For example:

The first European athlete to break the 10 second barrier in the 100 metres,

&

an author who died in 1976 having written 74 novels ...

... would hopefully lead you to Linford & Agatha Christie

1.

American actor, comedian and director who was known as 'the great stone face'.
&
American actress who won a best actress Oscar in 1977 for her performance in a film in which she had the title role.

2.

Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 1964 to 1979.
&,
Prolific British actress and singer who portrayed Cilla Black in the ITV mini series Cilla.  She has also appeared in Benidorm, Gavin & Stacey and The Royle Family amongst many other TV appearances.

3.

Actor who won the Best Actor Oscar for the 1953 film Stalag 17, though arguably his greatest performance was as outlaw leader Pike Bishop in the classic 1969 western The Wild Bunch.
&
Pretty, British TV personality of no discernible talent who at the time of writing (February 2024) is on our screens renovating a property in Italy alongside Alan Carr.

4.

The lesser half of a famous musical duo, this musician was extremely influential in the development of the whole Rock and Roll genre.  His piano work on the seminal 1951 record Rocket 88 was a big influence on Little Richard.
&
American actress who was one of MGM’s biggest stars during the 1940s and 1950s.
Her most famous role was probably in the 1946 classic The Postman Always Rings Twice.  She was subject to intense media scrutiny due to a long running affair with Los Angeles mobster Johnny Stompanato.

5.

Former Manchester United defender who won a Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers.
&
Currently, the member of parliament for Maidenhead.

6.

American soul singer who had several hit singles in his own right in the 1970s and who wrote and provided vocals on the Grammy-winning Grover Washington Junior song Just the Two of Us.
&
English actress who had an extremely lengthy career in theatre, cinema and television spanning some nine decades.  She is probably best remembered for her role as Prison Governor Faye Boswell in the ITV series Within these Walls which ran from 1974 to 1978.

7.

49-year old English actor, comedian, musician and writer.  He has appeared in many TV shows including The Mighty Boosh and What We Do in the Shadows, but he is probably best-known for playing the title role in the excellent Toast of London.
&
This graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school published her first cookbook The Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook in 1970.

8.

Irish actor who has collaborated with Director Christopher Nolan on six occasions.  He first rose to prominence in the Zombie apocalypse film 28 Days Later.

&
Irish born vocalist who first hit the charts with the dance duo Moloko.  She enjoys continued cult success and critical acclaim for her solo work and is known for her eccentric and imaginative fashion stylings.

Sp.

Former Manchester City manager whose greatest achievement was probably guiding Aston Villa to the Football League title in 1981.
&
British comedy actress who is perhaps best known for playing a character with the surname Monsoon.

Go to Round 3 questions with answers

ROUND 4 - Announced theme - 'The EGOTs'

Each answer in this round features the name of an EGOT - that is someone who has won all four of the major US entertainment awards (an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony)

1.

Which Northern Ireland footballer lifted the FA Cup as captain of the successful Arsenal team in 1979?  He made nearly 400 appearances for the Gunners, winning the double in 1971 and later moved to Watford.

2.

Which flamboyant player helped Chelsea beat Real Madrid in the 1971 European Cup Winners Cup Final?  Despite only winning two England caps he was widely regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation.  His career later took him to Stoke City, Arsenal and Seattle Sounders.

3.

Which classic post-apocalyptic novel by Richard Matheson first published in 1954, has been adapted for the big screen three times?  Firstly as The Last Man on Earth in 1964, then as The Omega Man in 1971 and finally (for now) under its original title in 2007.

4.

Which 1969 British film directed by Michael Winner told the unlikely tale of a Prisoner of War’s escape from Germany accompanied by a female Asian Elephant named Lucy?  It starred Oliver Reed in the title role.

5.

Which US singer, songwriter, actor and composer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002?  Amongst his most critically regarded works are the albums Hot Buttered Soul (1969) and Black Moses (1971).  Late in his career he achieved a UK number one single singing a racy ditty from a popular TV series; he later resigned from the show in controversial circumstances.

6.

Which band fronted by a young Steve Winwood, reached the top of the UK charts for the second time in March 1966 with the single Somebody Help Me?

7.

In January 2014, Fender Guitars introduced a limited-edition Stratocaster named the Hitmaker which was a recreation of the guitar used by which celebrated musician?  In the 1980s he appeared on recordings by Diana Ross, David Bowie, INXS, Madonna, Duran Duran and many others.  In later years he has enjoyed success with the French group Daft Punk.

8.

Who starred in the recently released movie This is Me…Now: A Love Story?  The film is based on the artist’s ninth studio album which shares the same name, and is influenced by an ancient Puerto Rican legend about two star-crossed lovers called Alida and Taroo.

Sp.

Which English actress born Daisy Sander in Fulham in 1907, played the long suffering Else Garnett (wife of Alf) in the classic BBC sitcom Till Death Do Us Part?

Go to Round 4 questions with answers

ROUND 5 - 'The Lives of Brians'

A full round all about Brians

This round is an homage to the wonderful question-setting of Opsimath Brian

1.

Brian Eno’s track Another Green World is the theme tune to which BBC TV series?

2.

According to Brian Johnston, which England player "Couldn’t quite get his leg over"?  He was commentating on the game between England and West Indies in August 1991.  This commentary resulted in one of the most famous gaffs and giggles in Test Match Special.

3.

Bryan Cranston played the lead character Walter White in the brilliant TV show Breaking Bad.  Which German physicist’s name, a pioneer of quantum physics, did he use as an alias when he was posing as a drugs lord?

4.

Art critic Brian Sewell described which twentieth century British artist’s work thus:

“... allowing his paintbrush to crawl into a woman’s crotch with the insistence of a caterpillar into a cabbage heart”.

5.

In the film Kes, Brian Glover makes him film debut playing PE teacher Mr Sugden.  In the famous football match scene, which football player does Mr Sugden insist he will be because Denis Law’s shirt was in the wash?

6.

Manchester-born actor and writer Brian Trueman wrote and voiced many Cosgrove Hall productions, including Danger Mouse, Count Dukula and Budgie the Little Helicopter.  Who wrote the book Budgie the Little Helicopter, on which the TV show is based?

7.

In which battle of 1014 did Irish King Brian Boru die?

8.

Irish and British Lions legend Brian O’Driscoll was a one club man.  For which team did he play his domestic rugby?

Sp1

Belgium born musician Brian Moloko is lead singer with which band?

Sp2

Poodle Rock guitarist and Astrophysicist Brian May married actress Anita Dobson in November 2000.  Which character did she play in Eastenders from 1985 to 1988?

Sp3

The actor Brian Cox said:

"The wealthy are always defensive but poor people are never defensive about their poverty.  The wealth gap is such a painful experience, it is heartbreaking."

With whom was he in conversation?

Go to Round 5 questions with answers

ROUND 6 - 'Greatest Hits'

Pairs of questions each in a classic WithQuiz format

Run-ons

1.

A 1973 crime-drama, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino in the title-role, confronting corruption in the New York Police Department.

&

A 1984 fantasy-epic film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Grace Jones, a sequel to a 1982 film.  Both were based on the work of the American writer Robert E Howard.

2.

A 1925 historical epic directed by Sergei Eisenstein, whose five acts are named Men and Maggots, Drama on Deck, A Dead Man Calls Out, The Odessa Steps, and One Against All.

&

A 1990 action-comedy film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a detective working undercover in a pre-school educational institution.

Complete the sequence (only a single name needed - number not required)

3.

Louis (18); Charles (10); Philip (6); …?

4.

John (23); Gregory & Benedict (16); Clement (14); Innocent and Leo (13); …?

What's missing?

5.

Andhra; Arunachal; Himachal; Madhya

6.

Raleigh; Charleston; Columbia; Pierre

Solve the cryptic crossword clue

7.

"Opposing Dexter, this sense of menace is all that’s left." (8 letters)

8.

"At the border, we taint the spirit." (6 letters)

Go to Round 6 questions with answers

ROUND 7 - Literary pairs

1.

Which of Charles Dickens novels has the following characters:

Esther Summerson, Lord and Lady Deadlock, Prince Turveydrop, Mr Tulkinghorn, Mr Vholes Inspector Bucket, John Jarndyce, Ada Clare, Miss Flite, Allan Woodcourt, Mademoiselle Hortense, Mrs Jellyby, Jo, Mr Snagsby, Harold Skimpole, and many, many others?

2.

Which of Charles Dickens novels has the following characters:

Lucie Manette, Dr Manette, Jarvis Lorry, Charles Darney, Jerry Cruncher, Miss Pross, Mr Stryver, Sydney Carton, John Bursad, Roger Cly, Monsieur and Madame Defarge any many, others?

3.

4.

What is missing from the following list:

 ______________, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, The Story of the Lost Child?

5.

Who wrote the quartet of novels The Four Streets, based on her upbringing in 1960s Liverpool?  The Daily Telegraph gave it a one-star review with the scathing comment: “A halting story told in vacuous language."

6.

Whose first novel A Parliamentary Affair based on their life in Westminster received this one-star review from the Independent: “ANYONE who supposes that her amazing first novel is the usual sort of kill-an-hour-on-the-beach codswallop had better think again; it is much, much worse than that.”?

7.

The Zone of Interest won Best International Feature Film at this year’s Oscars, but which Oxonian wrote the original novel, first published in 2014?

8.

Poor Things won this year’s Best Actress in a Lead Role Oscar for Emma Stone, but which Glaswegian wrote the original novel first published in 1992?

Sp1

Which of Charles Dickens novels has the following characters:

Thomas and Mrs Gradgrind, Louisa Gradgrind, Tom Gradgrind, Josiah Bounderby, Stephen Blackpool, Rachael, Sissy Jupe, Mrs Sparsit, Bitzer, James Harthouse and many, many others?

Sp2

Which serving MP wrote the best-selling book Code of Conduct - Why We Need to Fix Parliament and How to Do It in 2023?

Sp3

Go to Round 7 questions with answers

ROUND 8 - A round of firsts and lasts

1.

“I am the son, and the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular”

... are the opening lines of which song?  Originally released as a B side in 1984, it has become one of this band’s most enduring songs.

2.

“I don’t believe in an interventionist God
But I know darling, that you do”

... are the first lines of which song?  It was released as a single in 1997.  It reached number 53 in the UK singles chart but has become one of the singer’s bes-known and enduring songs, and has featured 16 times on Desert Island Discs.

3.

It is a well-known quiz trope that the first goal scored in the Premier League was by Brian Deane of Sheffield United.  But which Arsenal player was the last player to score in Division One?  A 90-minute effort in his side’s 3-1 win against Southampton, making him the League’s leading goal scorer for that season.

4.

The woman on the left was the first in 1976, and the woman on the right was the last in 1992 - to do what?

5.

The man in the picture became the first person to achieve which sporting record in July 1985?

5.

6.

“You don’t understand Osgood I’m a man.”

“Well, nobody is perfect.”

In which 1950s Hollywood comedy are these the closing lines?

7.

“I am here to see my gynaecologist”

... are the closing lines in which blockbuster film?

8.

“But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”

... are the closing lines of which classic novel first published in 1871?

Sp1

Which English poem opens with the lines:

“Of man’s first disobedience and the fruit of that forbidden tree...”?

Sp2

Which 1980s event opened with the words:

“...Don’t go to the pub tonight...”?

Sp3

“I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath, and hare-bells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."

... are the closing lines of which classic novel first published in 1847?

Go to Round 8 questions with answers

ROUND 1 - Pairs

1.

What is the real name of the performer known as Fish, lead singer of Marillion from 1981 to 1988?

Derek Dick

2.

Name the novelist and comedy scriptwriter, best known for the Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, who died in 2015.

David Nobbs

3.

Could It Be Magic, written by Barry Manilow, was a pop hit for Take That in 1992, but which classical composer's Prelude Opus 28 number 20 inspired the melody?

Chopin

4.

All By Myself was a pop hit for Eric Carmen in 1975, but which classical composer's Piano Concerto number 2 inspired the melody?

Rachmaninov

5.

Which English poet worked as a farm labourer and was resident in Northampton General Lunatic Asylum from 1841 until his death in 1864?

John Clare

6.

Which English poet, whose work was unpublished in his lifetime, became a Jesuit priest in 1870 and died in Dublin in 1889?

Gerard Manley Hopkins

7.

A S Byatt won the Booker Prize in 1990 with Possession, but what's the name of her sister, also a novelist?

Margaret Drabble

8.

What is the surname of the sisters Gudrun and Ursula who appear in two D H Lawrence novels, The Rainbow and Women in Love?

Brangwen

Sp1

Which Belgian-born anthropologist, author of The Raw and the Cooked, died in 2009 at the age of 100?

Claude Levi-Strauss

Sp2

Which Jamaican-born academic, who was Professor of Sociology at the Open University and died in 2014, shared his name with a disgraced TV presenter?

Stuart Hall

Sp3

What name (with different spellings) links a 14th century English bible translator and a Haitian rapper?

Wycliffe

(John Wycliffe and Wyclif Jean)

Sp4

What six-letter name is shared by the capital of the Comoros Islands and the angel who allegedly revealed the Golden Plates of The Book of Mormon to Joseph Smith?

Moroni

ROUND 2 - Announced theme - 'The X Philes'

Every answer contains an 'x'

1.

By what name is the 20th century musician whose first names were Leon Bismark better known?

Bix Beiderbecke

2.

Which chemical element, discovered in 1894 by Ramsay and Travers, has a name that means 'stranger'?

Xenon

3.

Which American actor, who died in 1940, appeared in 291 films and was regarded as Hollywood's first Western star?

Tom Mix

4.

Which politician was ruler of Albania from 1941 to 1985?

Enver Hoxha

5.

Which English classical composer, whose famous works include Tintagel, was knighted in 1937 and became Master of the King's Music in 1941?

Arnold Bax

6.

Name the British heating equipment manufacturing company founded in Preston in 1866 and now part of a global conglomerate.

Baxi

7.

Which six-letter word for a clothing item is named after a community founded in 1886 by Pierre Lorillard IV and thought to be adapted from the Algonquin language?

Tuxedo

8.

Name the London-born film maker and screenwriter, a pioneer of feminist cinema, who directed 12 feature films including Rattle of a Simple Man in 1964.

Muriel Box

Sp1

Which Victorian scientist and author was such a forceful advocate for natural selection he was known as 'Darwin's Bulldog'?

T H Huxley

Sp2

In finance, what is the five-letter term for the global currency trading market?

Forex

Go back to Round 2 questions without answers

ROUND 3 - 'Not Mr & Mrs'

In this round there are two clues to two different people who happen to share the same surname - one male, one female.  You need to provide both first names and the shared surname.

For example:

The first European athlete to break the 10 second barrier in the 100 metres,

&

an author who died in 1976 having written 74 novels ...

... would hopefully lead you to Linford & Agatha Christie

1.

American actor, comedian and director who was known as 'the great stone face'.
&
American actress who won a best actress Oscar in 1977 for her performance in a film in which she had the title role.

Buster and Diane Keaton

2.

Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 1964 to 1979.
&,
Prolific British actress and singer who portrayed Cilla Black in the ITV mini series Cilla.  She has also appeared in Benidorm, Gavin & Stacey and The Royle Family amongst many other TV appearances.

Ian and Sheridan Smith

3.

Actor who won the Best Actor Oscar for the 1953 film Stalag 17, though arguably his greatest performance was as outlaw leader Pike Bishop in the classic 1969 western The Wild Bunch.
&
Pretty, British TV personality of no discernible talent who at the time of writing (February 2024) is on our screens renovating a property in Italy alongside Alan Carr.

William and Amanda Holden

4.

The lesser half of a famous musical duo, this musician was extremely influential in the development of the whole Rock and Roll genre.  His piano work on the seminal 1951 record Rocket 88 was a big influence on Little Richard.
&
American actress who was one of MGM’s biggest stars during the 1940s and 1950s.
Her most famous role was probably in the 1946 classic The Postman Always Rings Twice.  She was subject to intense media scrutiny due to a long running affair with Los Angeles mobster Johnny Stompanato.

Ike and Lana Turner

5.

Former Manchester United defender who won a Premier League title with Blackburn Rovers.
&
Currently, the member of parliament for Maidenhead.

David and Theresa May

6.

American soul singer who had several hit singles in his own right in the 1970s and who wrote and provided vocals on the Grammy-winning Grover Washington Junior song Just the Two of Us.
&
English actress who had an extremely lengthy career in theatre, cinema and television spanning some nine decades.  She is probably best remembered for her role as Prison Governor Faye Boswell in the ITV series Within these Walls which ran from 1974 to 1978.

Bill and Googie Withers

7.

49-year old English actor, comedian, musician and writer.  He has appeared in many TV shows including The Mighty Boosh and What We Do in the Shadows, but he is probably best-known for playing the title role in the excellent Toast of London.
&
This graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu culinary school published her first cookbook The Hamlyn All Colour Cookbook in 1970.

Matt and Mary Berry

8.

Irish actor who has collaborated with Director Christopher Nolan on six occasions.  He first rose to prominence in the Zombie apocalypse film 28 Days Later.

&
Irish born vocalist who first hit the charts with the dance duo Moloko.  She enjoys continued cult success and critical acclaim for her solo work and is known for her eccentric and imaginative fashion stylings.

Cillian and Roisin Murphy

Sp.

Former Manchester City manager whose greatest achievement was probably guiding Aston Villa to the Football League title in 1981.
&
British comedy actress who is perhaps best known for playing a character with the surname Monsoon.

Ron and Jennifer Saunders

Go back to Round 3 questions without answers

ROUND 4 - Announced theme - 'The EGOTs'

Each answer in this round features the name of an EGOT - that is someone who has won all four of the major US entertainment awards (an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony)

1.

Which Northern Ireland footballer lifted the FA Cup as captain of the successful Arsenal team in 1979?  He made nearly 400 appearances for the Gunners, winning the double in 1971 and later moved to Watford.

Pat Rice

(EGOT = Tim Rice)

2.

Which flamboyant player helped Chelsea beat Real Madrid in the 1971 European Cup Winners Cup Final?  Despite only winning two England caps he was widely regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation.  His career later took him to Stoke City, Arsenal and Seattle Sounders.

Alan Hudson

(EGOT = Jennifer Hudson)

3.

Which classic post-apocalyptic novel by Richard Matheson first published in 1954, has been adapted for the big screen three times?  Firstly as The Last Man on Earth in 1964, then as The Omega Man in 1971 and finally (for now) under its original title in 2007.

I am Legend

(EGOT = John Legend)

4.

Which 1969 British film directed by Michael Winner told the unlikely tale of a Prisoner of War’s escape from Germany accompanied by a female Asian Elephant named Lucy?  It starred Oliver Reed in the title role.

Hannibal Brooks

(EGOT = Mel Brooks)

5.

Which US singer, songwriter, actor and composer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002?  Amongst his most critically regarded works are the albums Hot Buttered Soul (1969) and Black Moses (1971).  Late in his career he achieved a UK number one single singing a racy ditty from a popular TV series; he later resigned from the show in controversial circumstances.

Isaac Hayes

(EGOT = Helen Hayes)

6.

Which band fronted by a young Steve Winwood, reached the top of the UK charts for the second time in March 1966 with the single Somebody Help Me?

The Spencer Davis Group

(EGOT = Viola Davis)

7.

In January 2014, Fender Guitars introduced a limited-edition Stratocaster named the Hitmaker which was a recreation of the guitar used by which celebrated musician?  In the 1980s he appeared on recordings by Diana Ross, David Bowie, INXS, Madonna, Duran Duran and many others.  In later years he has enjoyed success with the French group Daft Punk.

Nile Rodgers

(EGOT = Richard Rodgers)

8.

Who starred in the recently released movie This is Me…Now: A Love Story?  The film is based on the artist’s ninth studio album which shares the same name, and is influenced by an ancient Puerto Rican legend about two star-crossed lovers called Alida and Taroo.

Jennifer Lopez

(EGOT = Robert Lopez)

Sp.

Which English actress born Daisy Sander in Fulham in 1907, played the long suffering Else Garnett (wife of Alf) in the classic BBC sitcom Till Death Do Us Part?

Dandy Nichols

(EGOT = Mike Nichols)

Go back to Round 4 questions without answers

ROUND 5 -  'The Lives of Brians'

A full round all about Brians

This round is an homage to the wonderful question-setting of Opsimath Brian

1.

Brian Eno’s track Another Green World is the theme tune to which BBC TV series?

Arena

2.

According to Brian Johnston, which England player "Couldn’t quite get his leg over"?  He was commentating on the game between England and West Indies in August 1991.  This commentary resulted in one of the most famous gaffs and giggles in Test Match Special.

Ian Botham

3.

Bryan Cranston played the lead character Walter White in the brilliant TV show Breaking Bad.  Which German physicist’s name, a pioneer of quantum physics, did he use as an alias when he was posing as a drugs lord?

Heisenberg

4.

Art critic Brian Sewell described which twentieth century British artist’s work thus:

“... allowing his paintbrush to crawl into a woman’s crotch with the insistence of a caterpillar into a cabbage heart”.

Lucien Freud

5.

In the film Kes, Brian Glover makes him film debut playing PE teacher Mr Sugden.  In the famous football match scene, which football player does Mr Sugden insist he will be because Denis Law’s shirt was in the wash?

Bobby Charlton

6.

Manchester-born actor and writer Brian Trueman wrote and voiced many Cosgrove Hall productions, including Danger Mouse, Count Dukula and Budgie the Little Helicopter.  Who wrote the book Budgie the Little Helicopter, on which the TV show is based?

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York

7.

In which battle of 1014 did Irish King Brian Boru die?

Battle of Clontarf

8.

Irish and British Lions legend Brian O’Driscoll was a one club man.  For which team did he play his domestic rugby?

Leinster

Sp1

Belgium born musician Brian Moloko is lead singer with which band?

Placebo

Sp2

Poodle Rock guitarist and Astrophysicist Brian May married actress Anita Dobson in November 2000.  Which character did she play in Eastenders from 1985 to 1988?

Angie Watts

Sp3

The actor Brian Cox said:

"The wealthy are always defensive but poor people are never defensive about their poverty.  The wealth gap is such a painful experience, it is heartbreaking."

With whom was he in conversation?

Professor Brian Cox

Go back to Round 5 questions without answers

ROUND 6 - 'Greatest Hits'

Pairs of questions each in a classic WithQuiz format

Run-ons

1.

A 1973 crime-drama, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Al Pacino in the title-role, confronting corruption in the New York Police Department.

&

A 1984 fantasy-epic film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Grace Jones, a sequel to a 1982 film.  Both were based on the work of the American writer Robert E Howard.

Serpico / Conan the Destroyer

(The original 1982 film was Conan the Barbarian)

2.

A 1925 historical epic directed by Sergei Eisenstein, whose five acts are named Men and Maggots, Drama on Deck, A Dead Man Calls Out, The Odessa Steps, and One Against All.

&

A 1990 action-comedy film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a detective working undercover in a pre-school educational institution.

Battleship Potemkin / Kindergarten Cop

Complete the sequence (only a single name needed - number not required)

3.

Louis (18); Charles (10); Philip (6); …?

Henry (4)

(These are the most used regnal names of French kings in descending order with number of monarchs so-named)

4.

John (23); Gregory & Benedict (16); Clement (14); Innocent and Leo (13); …?

Pius (12)

(These are the most used papal names in descending order, with number of popes so-named)

What's missing?

5.

Andhra; Arunachal; Himachal; Madhya

Uttar

(These are all states of India that end in the word ‘Pradesh’, meaning ‘province’, ‘country’, or ‘territory’)

6.

Raleigh; Charleston; Columbia; Pierre

Bismarck

(These are the capitals of US states with compass directions in their names; respectively, North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina, South Dakota, and North Dakota)

Solve the cryptic crossword clue

7.

"Opposing Dexter, this sense of menace is all that’s left." (8 letters)

Sinister

(In heraldry, ‘dexter’ refers to the right, while ‘sinister’ refers to the left)

8.

"At the border, we taint the spirit." (6 letters)

Margin

Go back to Round 6 questions without answers

ROUND 7 - Literary pairs

1.

Which of Charles Dickens novels has the following characters:

Esther Summerson, Lord and Lady Deadlock, Prince Turveydrop, Mr Tulkinghorn, Mr Vholes Inspector Bucket, John Jarndyce, Ada Clare, Miss Flite, Allan Woodcourt, Mademoiselle Hortense, Mrs Jellyby, Jo, Mr Snagsby, Harold Skimpole, and many, many others?

Bleak House

2.

Which of Charles Dickens novels has the following characters:

Lucie Manette, Dr Manette, Jarvis Lorry, Charles Darney, Jerry Cruncher, Miss Pross, Mr Stryver, Sydney Carton, John Bursad, Roger Cly, Monsieur and Madame Defarge any many, others?

A Tale of Two Cities

3.

4.

What is missing from the following list:

 ______________, The Story of a New Name, Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, The Story of the Lost Child?

My Brilliant Friend

(The first of the Neapolitan Quartet by Elena Ferrante)

5.

Who wrote the quartet of novels The Four Streets, based on her upbringing in 1960s Liverpool?  The Daily Telegraph gave it a one-star review with the scathing comment: “A halting story told in vacuous language."

Nadine Dorries

6.

Whose first novel A Parliamentary Affair based on their life in Westminster received this one-star review from the Independent: “ANYONE who supposes that her amazing first novel is the usual sort of kill-an-hour-on-the-beach codswallop had better think again; it is much, much worse than that.”?

Edwina Currie

7.

The Zone of Interest won Best International Feature Film at this year’s Oscars, but which Oxonian wrote the original novel, first published in 2014?

Martin Amis

8.

Poor Things won this year’s Best Actress in a Lead Role Oscar for Emma Stone, but which Glaswegian wrote the original novel first published in 1992?

Alasdair Grey

Sp1

Which of Charles Dickens novels has the following characters:

Thomas and Mrs Gradgrind, Louisa Gradgrind, Tom Gradgrind, Josiah Bounderby, Stephen Blackpool, Rachael, Sissy Jupe, Mrs Sparsit, Bitzer, James Harthouse and many, many others?

Hard Times

Sp2

Which serving MP wrote the best-selling book Code of Conduct - Why We Need to Fix Parliament and How to Do It in 2023?

Chris Bryant

Sp3

Rory Stewart

Go back to Round 7 questions without answers

ROUND 8 - A round of firsts and lasts

1.

“I am the son, and the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir
Of nothing in particular”

... are the opening lines of which song?  Originally released as a B side in 1984, it has become one of this band’s most enduring songs.

How Soon is Now

(by The Smiths)

2.

“I don’t believe in an interventionist God
But I know darling, that you do”

... are the first lines of which song?  It was released as a single in 1997.  It reached number 53 in the UK singles chart but has become one of the singer’s bes-known and enduring songs, and has featured 16 times on Desert Island Discs.

Into My Arms

(by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds)

3.

It is a well-known quiz trope that the first goal scored in the Premier League was by Brian Deane of Sheffield United.  But which Arsenal player was the last player to score in Division One?  A 90-minute effort in his side’s 3-1 win against Southampton, making him the League’s leading goal scorer for that season.

Ian Wright

4.

The woman on the left was the first in 1976, and the woman on the right was the last in 1992 - to do what?

Score a perfect 10 in Gymnastics

(Nadia Comaneci on the uneven bars and Lavina Milosovici on the floor routine)

5.

The man in the picture became the first person to achieve which sporting record in July 1985?

A Pole Vault of 6m

(It is Sergey Bubka)

6.

“You don’t understand Osgood I’m a man.”

“Well, nobody is perfect.”

In which 1950s Hollywood comedy are these the closing lines?

Some Like It Hot

7.

“I am here to see my gynaecologist”

... are the closing lines in which blockbuster film?

Barbie

8.

“But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”

... are the closing lines of which classic novel first published in 1871?

Middlemarch

(by George Eliot)

Sp1

Which English poem opens with the lines:

“Of man’s first disobedience and the fruit of that forbidden tree...”?

Paradise Lost

(by John Milton)

Sp2

Which 1980s event opened with the words:

“...Don’t go to the pub tonight...”?

Live Aid

(spoken by Bob Geldof)

Sp3

“I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath, and hare-bells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."

... are the closing lines of which classic novel first published in 1847?

Wuthering Heights

(by Emily Bronte)

Quiz nerd fact: "I am the son and the heir of nothing in particular" from The Smiths' How Soon is Now is a quote from Middlemarch

Go back to Round 8 questions without answers