Staff Writer Elouise Davies offers an in depth exploration into the legacy of ‘Inside No 9’ whilst also reviewing its ongoing stage adaptation, ‘Stage/Fright’
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith have introduced their acclaimed anthology series ‘Inside No 9’ to the West End, marking a triumphant return with their brand-new show ‘Stage/Fright’. This serves as a fitting farewell to the BBC series, which has left a lasting legacy, captivating audiences across nine series and 55 episodes, released between 2014 and 2024. ‘Inside No 9’ is a distinctive show, blending aspects of comedy, horror, and drama to push the boundaries of storytelling. The audience is persistently reminded to expect the unexpected. This show’s distinctive legacy is now celebrated on stage at the Wyndham’s theatre in its strictly limited season.
The duo have worked together for 25 years on various projects, soon becoming synonymous with the comedy-horror genre. This has become evident throughout their work, including ‘The League of Gentlemen’ and ‘Psychoville’. Entwining dark humour with innovative narratives, ‘Stage/Fright’ has become their newest, eagerly anticipated addition to their collection. The show’s sold-out West End run reflects its dedicated fanbase, eager to see how it is introduced to the stage.
The Legacy Of The Show
A fundamental aspect of ‘Inside No 9’ is its ability to not confine itself to a genre, location, or character. Each episode is a singular self-contained story often including the ‘No 9’ in some way – be it through house, number or shoe size. Stories vary between comedy, horror, or tragedy and are often celebrated for their clever ability to continuously create unpredictable episodes keeping viewers guessing. From wordless comedies to unpredictable mysteries, and macabre plot twists, the show is proven to be extremely versatile, with episodes to entice everyone. This ability to not become defined by one genre is transferred to the stage, in which numerous twists and turns keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Integral Themes
The show sees performances from numerous actors, alongside innovative concepts leaving a profound impact on the audience. The act of acting, and the very concept of actors themselves, have frequently featured throughout.
Episodes such as ‘Tom and Gerri’, ‘Hurry Up and Wait’, and ‘Paraskevidekatriaphobia’, focus on the inclusion of actors. This explores the public act of performance, whilst also exploring the negativities surrounding this career. The audience are allowed backstage through episodes including ‘And The Winner Is…’ and ‘Plodding On’. Both the latter two episodes pull from the harsh realities of acting, portraying the potential austerity with the job. Drama is created backstage, driven by personal performances, exploring concepts of performance and what it means to be an actor.
References to the gothic genre, fitting the show’s tendency to lean towards the dark and mysterious, are also included throughout. Beginning with series one’s ‘The Harrowing’, fascination with supernatural and classic horror themes are introduced as fundamental to the show. Furthermore, witchcraft and magic are introduced in ‘The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge’ and ‘Seance Time’, alongside further exploration of curses and misfortune in ‘The Devil of Christmas’, and ‘Mr King’. Traditional horror tropes prove fundamental to allowing the show to explore darker themes underpinning the construction of these horror-defined narratives.
The Complexities Of Storytelling
Thus, ‘Inside No 9’ also acts as an ode to the very act of storytelling itself. Each 30-minute episode is a perfectly crafted and well-defined story. Due to the attention to detail, it engages the audience, and encapsulates the story Shearsmith and Pemberton intend to convey.
It also serves to celebrate the act of storytelling with many references to both their own previous collaborations and classical pieces of work. References of this kind are seen as early as series one. The mostly wordless storytelling of ‘A Quiet Night In’, pays homage to the silent movies of early cinema. Further references to theatrical works are also included – for example, ‘The Understudy’ pulls inspiration from Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ to portray the rise of a young actor through violence, all set in a backstage dressing room of a theatre. Shakespeare is once again referenced in ‘Zanzibar’, with the episode being told through iambic pentameter.
Alongside this, many episodes follow unique structures and storylines, with innovative new techniques always being explored. In ‘Mulberry Close’, the episode is followed through the lens of a doorbell, revealing the damaging nature of nosy neighbours. As well as this, ‘Boo to a Goose’ is centred around the phrase ‘see it, say it, sorted’, whilst ‘Wise Owl’ references the public information films of the 1970s. ‘Diddle Diddle Dumpling’ explores the idea of the forced separation of a pair through a man becoming obsessed with a lonesome show found in the street. Episodes go beyond simple horror conventions to explore deep themes of loss and nostalgia – also shown in ‘Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room’ – to further connect with the audience and portray stories reflecting real-life situations.
The Importance Of The Metanarrative
The creators have also proved their ability to create meta pieces of work reflecting upon the creation of theatre and performance. A simple shift in perspective reveals the episodes to be far more theatrical and performative than originally thought. For example, ‘Seance Time’ draws the audience into one supernatural storyline, to reveal it was all fake, and just a mere performance for television. This is also further highlighted in ‘Dead Line’, a live episode aired near Halloween, including many twists and turns. It continually tricked the audience, with both Shearsmith and Pemberton playing into this unexpected turn live with the audience. These unpredictable plot twists characteristic of ‘Inside No 9’ contributed to what made the show intellectually stimulating – viewers are never quite sure where the story will turn.
The show had to maintain its lead ahead of the audience, pointing them in the wrong direction. In series eight, a highly anticipated ‘On the Buses’-esque episode was teased, only for ‘3 by 3’ to air. The continuation of ‘Inside No 9’ forced the show to consider its existence, requiring further manipulation to continue tricking audiences.
How Is The Legacy Of ‘Inside No 9’ Partly Solidified By Their Other Work?
Shearsmith and Pemberton are also not afraid to reference their own work. For example, the inclusion of David Sowerbutts from ‘Psychoville’ in ‘Death Be Not Proud’, as well as the number nine in the anniversary special episodes of ‘The League of Gentlemen’. They have created multiple shows veering towards the comedy-horror genre. Thus they can pull inspiration from themselves as they would other classical pieces of work. This contributes to the lasting legacy of ‘Inside No 9’, culminating in the creation of the anticipated stage show ‘Stage/Fright’.
How Is The Stage Show A Product Of The Series
Much like their ‘League of Gentlemen’ live shows, ‘Stage/Fright’ blends the familiar with the new, intertwining familiar faces and stories with new material created exclusively for the stage. The duo return to the stage together, combing their wit and clever writing into a brand new experience. Memories of the series are interlaced throughout, whilst still providing a fresh take sure to capture the hearts of fans. This continues to serve the show’s classic themes of the unexpected by keeping the audience on edge.
Technical Innovations On Stage
Further portraying their adaptability to modern audiences, Pemberton and Shearsmith incorporate a multimedia approach. Similar to recent shows seen on the West End, particularly Jamie Lloyd productions, cameras are used on stage. This is vital in elevating the theatrical experience and taking the story beyond the physical stage to immerse the audience into the previously hidden behind-the-scenes intrigue. Focus on the action backstage, as in ‘The Understudy’, further adds to the theatrical performance. This interaction between on and off-stage acting incorporates unique elements in episodes such as ‘Dead Line’ and ‘Plodding On’. This heightens the suspense and mystery being built throughout the show, staying true to the innovations seen in the series.
The setting itself also plays a vital role in the production, becoming its own character. Opened in 1899, the Wyndham’s Theatre is steeped in history. This adds a frightening twist, with supernatural elements embedded in the show, emphasising the ‘fright’ element of ‘Stage/Fright’. The use of lighting, sound, and staging keeps the audience on edge, building suspense throughout. Moments of genuine fear are balanced with comedic bursts frequently interspersed within.
The Importance Of Secrecy
A vital aspect of the stage show is the secrecy surrounding the plot; no details were released beforehand. This built intrigue and excitement when walking into the theatre with little knowledge of what to expect. The essence of the show is kept alive, with each story being a new mystery for the audience to unravel. Thus, I shall leave my review here without revealing too much of the nature of the show to maintain the unknown, and allow audiences to piece it together for the first time in the theatre.
