inside fifth episode british dark comedy anthology series inside broadcast march bbc episode written starred guest starred plays actor tony starring west end production shakespeare plays jim tony plot partially mirrors story exploring theme power lives actors episode took longer write series inside times owing writers uncertainty characters professionals presented separate acts theatrical norms critics responded positively praising improvement previous week episode stressed links said viewers need familiar shakespeare work order enjoy episode showing watched viewers market lowest viewership series far production writers previously worked took inspiration inside david episode series episode turn inspired rope david took place entirely single room filmed shots time concept reaction saying involved thought nice different stories complete new house people week appealing viewer like story got different week anthology series horror themes inside pays homage tales unexpected twilight zone format requires new characters week writers able attract actors unwilling commit entire series addition played lead actor tony jim respectively episode starred bill jean nick addition provided voice actor playing provided voice actor playing episode written presented act structure mirror theatrical norms allowed jumps time episode marking series plot essentially based leading suggest episode level future unlike episodes series place family home reason writers keen viewers initial idea group characters backstage production writers scripted times unsure characters members touring company professionals meant script writing took longer episode series inside script eventually settled actors west end theatre actors real chance high stakes episode suggested reflected real theatre television version said west end setting allowed scene post performance visit audience members plot act starring lead role duke coming dressing room performance visited jim invited attend rehearsal tony makes excuse having job time pair joined tony neighbours jean bill watched tony performance tony leaves jim puts tony prop crown imagining leading role act rehearsal jim fiancée helps learn lines tony dressing room company manager arrives room jim absent asks tony earns opening tony determined jim appear allow save wedding cuts pin left lady dress leave room jim sees drop blood floor grow large looks gone act friday night performance tony drunk comes backstage interim acts angry tony recovering alcoholic got drunk issue drunken behaviour stage sends shower sober summons jim unsure knows lines onstage tony place encourages chance hands prop dagger sees blood dagger hands tony comes shower wants finish performance jim allows jim lack ambition left dressing room hears noises coming shower goes look scream heard stage act jim taken role mentioned tony fell stage hospital sacked accused sexual harassment arrives jim thanks encouraging distant eventually asking leave prepare puts crown mirror hears sound sees blood pouring eyes mirror act nineteen months later jim famous actor playing title role theatre dressing room tony comes backstage visit talks far jim career come jim broke seen run tony leaves arrives jim tony time watched jim performance day week says knew needed little push achieve greatness tells committed suicide dressing room shower jim know overseas filming role game time believes pushed tony live guilt reveals pushed tony juice alcohol backstage got sacked let jim perform wearing engagement ring took corpse tells jim waiting wings like leaves jim prepares onstage sees bloody visions death reception critics responded positively drawing attention improvement previous week episode called striking return form website writing independent called return form previous week writers sunday_times called episode exquisite short story writing daily telegraph called tale writing guardian described excellent instalment series identified themes episode calling highly satirical actors shakespeare power critics stressed knowledge necessary enjoy episode knowing text suggested radio_times halfway case clever plot vehicle characters fully lines gags jealousy stage agreed saying don need literary scholar gags critic writing daily_mirror suggested knowledge scottish play tip lie ahead times anonymous reviewer sunday herald praised plot divergence shakespeare saying script offers parallels scottish play whip away felt complex plot meant guest stars screen time deserve complaint instalment brilliant showing watched viewers market lower previous episode turn lowest viewership series airing viewers audience immediately preceded listings line duty watched series high million viewers audience
The Understudy (Inside No. 9)