Anthology series could be coming to the stage
Plans are still afoot for a live version of Inside No 9.
Steve Pemberton revealed that he and Reece Shearsmith were looking at the possibility of a theatrical adaptation because their scripts were ‘perfectly suited’ to the stage.
Chortle first reported the idea early last year, with the duo considering whether to use existing scripts or write a brand new story.
And in a new interview to launch series six, which starts on Monday, Pemberton confirmed the idea was still on the cards.
‘We definitely would want to, at some point, explore the live version of Inside No 9,’ he said.’
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith on the new Inside No 9 episode, Wuthering Heist
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith are known for borrowing from other genres in Inside No 9, incorporating the likes of Shakespearean iambic pentameter, silent movie tropes and 1970s horror film ideas into their work.
But the opening episode of the new sixth series features one of the more unusual mash-ups: a heist movie combined with the 16th century Italian theatrical tradition of commedia dell’arte, the masked slapstick comedy which popularised the likes of Mr Punch and the harlequin.
And the idea, Pemberton reveals, stemmed entirely from the pun he came up with for the title: Wuthering Heist.
.and the one scene where producer Adam Tandy thought they went too far
Like many TV shows, production on the new sixth series of Inside No 9 was thrown into chaos when Covid hit.
But unlike many TV shows, creators Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton had a Plan B. Safe in the knowledge they already had another series commissioned, so they hunkered down - via Zoom - and started writing more episodes.
‘We were frustrated, obviously, Pemberton says as he recalls filming being halted soon after it began in March last year.
‘But we mothballed the set, we mothballed the costumes - and the actors! - and said, Look, we’ll pick that up when we can . And in the meantime, we could crack on with the writing of series seven.’
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Inside No. 9 confirms series 6 return date
Get ready.
Monday, May 10 at 9.30pm.
The first chapter will be titled Wuthering Heist and will see Pemberton and Shearsmith put on masks as they attempt a diamond robbery. Sophie MutevelianBBC
Speaking about the episode to
Empire, Pemberton said: We ve both done acting training and we did a lot of mask work at our college, so we thought, Let s use our mask work – but mixed with a heist movie. What is it like to mash up commedia dell arte with Quentin Tarantino?