Inside No.9’s Stage/Fright will have you screaming in the...

WHEN Steve Pemberton and Reece Sheersmith announced that their BBC2 series Inside No. 9 was ending after a decade of clever so black-it’s-night comedy, fans were gutted. Could it be that the dark duo - who met at drama college and worked together on The League of Gentleman, Psychoville and finally No. 9 could be nearing a gory end?.

Image Credit: The Sun [A man in period costume stands in a room with a painting on the wall.]

Well if Stage/Fright - just arrived at Wyndham’s Theatre in the West End - is anything to go by - the answer is an all-shrieking, high kicking, blood letting, jump-scarey, terrifyingly resounding ‘no’. And thank the haunted hell for that. There’s a reason they’ve constantly entertained TV audiences since the nineties - because they go where actors and comedians fear to tread, using clever but horrifying humour to tug at the darkest reaches of our minds that don’t and won’t normally see the light of day.

Image Credit: The Sun [A stage production being filmed, showing actors in period costume.]

It’s close to the bone and sends shivers into our comfort zone - and the stage show is very much the same. In fact - a lot of it IS the same. Fans from the TV series will inwardly rejoice as they recognise scenes from classics including the poignant Bernie Clifton’s Changing Room, Sardines and A Quiet Night In.

Image Credit: The Sun [Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton on stage.]

But there’s plenty more to delight and petrify any theatre–goer in equal measure. The second act is a master stroke in misdirection, with clever scenes, camera work and props. And they’re supported by a brilliant cast - watch out especially for Anna Francolini in the second act.

Image Credit: The Sun [Steve Pemberton onstage carrying a large bag.]

Don’t get me wrong - there’s laughs a plenty - but also shocked intakes of breath, watching between fingers, groans of horror, and jerking back in your seat (and the obligatory apologies to everyone sitting behind you!). Its’ creepy transfer from TV to the stage works better than I was expecting - but of course it does - you’ve got the masters of TV gore, suspense and chilling comedy - right up close in the flesh, doing their ‘thing’ to the best of their ability.

To see them both live on stage talking to the audience is such a pleasure - mixed with apprehension of where it’s going to take us next. Speaking of which, the staging and set is brilliant - full marks to director Simon Evans - and kudos to the unbelievably quick costume changes by all the cast.

To tell any more would give the game away. In fact, I’ve been firmly instructed not to reveal any spoilers at all. Nor would I want to. From the first scream to the last whimper - it’s theatre at it’s very best. Stage/Fright. Wyndham Theatre, London. ★★★★★.