Inside No 9 Stage/Fright keeps the audience on the edge of their seats especially during Act two. Prepare yourself for plenty of laughter and jump scares as you watch the popular television programme come to life live on stage in front of what was a packed auditorium.

Opening the evening’s performance the cast are staged inside an auditorium Reece Sheersmith takes his seat to watch a staged version of Hamlet. Soon to be joined by Sarah Moyle, Bhav Joshi, and Steve Pemberton who are fellow audience members we all dread sitting near. Without giving away any spoilers I fully understood the frustration Sheersmith felt although my overall response would have been different.

Director Simon Evans brings the surreal dark comedy television series to the stage. Each mishap, each wrong turn, and jump scare is precisely placed for maximum effect. The script is tightly written and just as you think you see which path the comedy might take it changes direction, often with a twist or a bang.

Each show will be slightly different in the first act due to the appearance in every performance of a surprise “mystery guest hostage” previous guests have included Lenny Henry, Michael Sheen, Meera Syall and Tamsin Greig. Our mystery hostage for the evening was comedian Bobby Davro.

Expect dark humour, surprises along the way and plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Pemberton and Sheersmith are masters of creating dark and uncomfortable comedy that takes you on a journey with a completely unpredictable ending.

The auditorium was full of fans of if the original show many wearing t-shirts with Inside No 9 printed on the front. Even as someone who hasn’t watched many previous episodes none of the comedy escaped me and it’s definitely one to catch while it’s touring.

Watching Sheersmith and Pemberton, two dark comedy geniuses at work was a privilege and a testament to their long-standing friendship and working relationship of around thirty years.

For more information about Inside No 9 Stage/Fright tour dates and future productions at New Victoria Theatre Woking please use the link below.

Five Stars

https://insideno9onstage.com/

Cast

Steve Pemberton,

Reece Sheersmith,

Rebecca Bainbridge,

Mark Extance,

Gaby French,

Sarah Moyle,

Sophie Suddaby,

Miranda Hennessy,

Bhav Joshi and

Toby Manley.