5 minutes with designer Frankie Bradshaw
26 Feb 2024![](https://d1gcn4slqqviv9.cloudfront.net/_imager/fd56144e33df64e164b8cef434e6945e/Untitled_Artwork-29_8f6a03dfcd0d991e5d0cd6304dd7db47.jpg)
Designing the set and costumes for Starter for Ten has been a delight...
We’ve been able to really immerse ourselves in the world of the 1980s, and in particular a 1980s’ television studio.
The story of Brian Jackson and his fledgling years at university take us to many different locations, so we decided we needed a framing device to hold all these different places.
![](https://d1gcn4slqqviv9.cloudfront.net/_imager/fd56144e33df64e164b8cef434e6945e/model-students_8f6a03dfcd0d991e5d0cd6304dd7db47.jpg)
We use the image of a television studio, which we come to realise is in fact the University Challenge television studio as the backdrop to all locations, in front of which we create sit-com style sets from furniture, moving flattage and doors to create all the other places we visit along the way, until finally we arrive at the Challenge studio properly.
![](https://d1gcn4slqqviv9.cloudfront.net/_imager/fd56144e33df64e164b8cef434e6945e/IMG_3513_8f6a03dfcd0d991e5d0cd6304dd7db47.jpeg)
It’s been great fun delving into the fashion dos and don’ts of the 1980s as well. Big hair, shoulder pads, loud patterns, it’s all there...
![](https://d1gcn4slqqviv9.cloudfront.net/_imager/fd56144e33df64e164b8cef434e6945e/Irene-Dad-Des-Spencer_8f6a03dfcd0d991e5d0cd6304dd7db47.jpg)
...along with a good helping of academia and geeky students!
![](https://d1gcn4slqqviv9.cloudfront.net/_imager/fd56144e33df64e164b8cef434e6945e/Brian-Young-Brian_8f6a03dfcd0d991e5d0cd6304dd7db47.jpg)
I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I’ve loved designing it!
Frankie Bradshaw, Set & Costume Designer, Starter for Ten
Starter for Ten plays 29 Feb – 30 Mar