Alison Steadman chews the screen as a classical theater performer, where her whims are taken very seriously in a Candid Camera (remember that?) type program.
5 Reviews
Demon Days
southdavid26 July 2021
As I've said before, I like it when "Inside Number 9" leans into the horror aspect available to them, as they do here with the season two finale, which like the final episode of season one, is another comedic chiller.
Tina (Sophie McShera) visits a gothic looking house and partakes in a séance, with Madam Talbot (Alison Steadman) and her assistant Hives (Reece Shearsmith). The commune summons a demon, (Dan Starkey) who appears to Tina ... at which point, it's revealed that the séance is part of a hidden camera prank show. The show is a chance for Hives, the host, to reboot his career, after an unfortunate incident ended the last run of a similar show. Their next victim though is Pete (Steve Pemberton) aggressive and boorish, and the results are very different.
As I've said, the horror ones are my preferred episodes and even if this doesn't go quite as far as "The Harrowing" from season one, it's still got more than its fair share of creepy imagery to go around, plus a jump scare at the end. It remains funny though, with the bulk of the show made up of behind the scenes TV show stuff, the hierarchy amongst the performers, the stresses of make-up, of resetting shots. Cariad Lloyd and Alice Lowe are the two crewmembers as director and make up backstage, and both are excellent. It's Steadman though that does the most lifting, as the hammy actress looking to get away early as she has a performance that evening.
The episode gently weaves in its plot points about what happened to stall Hives' career last time, to give you the information you need ahead of the denouement, which perhaps doesn't go quite as far as I might have hoped.
Not perhaps quite as good as "The Harrowing" but a really excellent way to end a great season.
Tina (Sophie McShera) visits a gothic looking house and partakes in a séance, with Madam Talbot (Alison Steadman) and her assistant Hives (Reece Shearsmith). The commune summons a demon, (Dan Starkey) who appears to Tina ... at which point, it's revealed that the séance is part of a hidden camera prank show. The show is a chance for Hives, the host, to reboot his career, after an unfortunate incident ended the last run of a similar show. Their next victim though is Pete (Steve Pemberton) aggressive and boorish, and the results are very different.
As I've said, the horror ones are my preferred episodes and even if this doesn't go quite as far as "The Harrowing" from season one, it's still got more than its fair share of creepy imagery to go around, plus a jump scare at the end. It remains funny though, with the bulk of the show made up of behind the scenes TV show stuff, the hierarchy amongst the performers, the stresses of make-up, of resetting shots. Cariad Lloyd and Alice Lowe are the two crewmembers as director and make up backstage, and both are excellent. It's Steadman though that does the most lifting, as the hammy actress looking to get away early as she has a performance that evening.
The episode gently weaves in its plot points about what happened to stall Hives' career last time, to give you the information you need ahead of the denouement, which perhaps doesn't go quite as far as I might have hoped.
Not perhaps quite as good as "The Harrowing" but a really excellent way to end a great season.
A welcome return to twisted form only marred by It's rushed finale
The-Last-Prydonian30 April 2015
The latest and final episode of what has been an overall more superior series than It's first one, Seance Time brings a more thematic return to form after last weeks disappointingly ordinary Nana's Party. It revolves initially around Tina (Sophie McShera), a soft-spoken, unassuming twenty something that visits elderly blind Medium Madam Talbot(Alison Steadman). Assisted by her more youthful assistant Hives (Reece Shearsmith), the aged spiritualist proceeds with carrying out a séance which leads to a terrifying event occurring for Tina. However it is soon to be a prank concocted for a hidden camera TV show fronted by It's host Ives who is in fact a arrogant, self centered egotist. With their latest victim caught on film Ives and his small cast and crew await the arrival of their second target. Unfortunately though for the smarmy celeb events will take a chilling turn which will have him forced to confront the sins of his past.
Although not awful and fairly enjoyable, mesers Shearsmith and Pembertons previous offering lacked the twisted bite that they have come to be renowned for. So It's with Seance Time that we see something of a more welcome return to form. In terms of plot it could be postulated that it may owe something of another short Horror story entitled Seance, one which aired in and Anthology TV series, Tales From The Crypt on cable TV in the U.S. Utilizing it's premise of professional con-artists who attempt to swindle money from a wealthy widow by holding a false séance, Shearsmith and Pemberton put their own personal spin on the pseudo-spiritualist gimmick.
Once more employing a host of of accomplished guest actors that includes veteran pro Alison Steadman superbly portraying a has been actress who could only wish she'd really has been. She offers a portrayal of a slightly temperamental woman who's slight irritability is vastly outweighed by that of her obnoxious employer Ives. The veritable antagonist of which the story finds It's main impetus for upcoming events unfolding. Self-serving, opportunistic and generally plain unlikable Shearsmith delivers the key a quality performance which could so easily descend in to caricature which he deftly avoids. Long time co-collaborator Pemberton is also on hand to deliver stirring support as the latter of the two attended prankee's, a somewhat indifferent, boorish ragamuffin although ultimately vulnerable the actor/co-writer himself sidesteps the pitfall of falling victim to cliché.
Weaving mild humor to the unfolding drama which adroitly counterbalances the tragedy that is to come and the lending of some well rounded characters, one of which you find yourself refreshingly finding yourself sympathizing Seance Time although not completely original makes for a predominantly satisfying conclusion to the series. It's marred only by the restraints of It's half hour running time, although perfectly suited to other dark offerings it's plot would have benefited for a more lengthy narrative. The end result being that It's otherwise horrifying denouement feels overly rushed.
Although let down by It's restraints this final entry makes for a mainly rewarding experience, even if not as innovative as some previous outings It's still worth a watch. With still enough of the freshness and innovation that It's co-writers and stars have presented I await a third series with keen eagerness. With some of the uninspired, dire bilge that's passed off as entertainment It makes for a essential injection of quality. And that's never a bad thing!
Although not awful and fairly enjoyable, mesers Shearsmith and Pembertons previous offering lacked the twisted bite that they have come to be renowned for. So It's with Seance Time that we see something of a more welcome return to form. In terms of plot it could be postulated that it may owe something of another short Horror story entitled Seance, one which aired in and Anthology TV series, Tales From The Crypt on cable TV in the U.S. Utilizing it's premise of professional con-artists who attempt to swindle money from a wealthy widow by holding a false séance, Shearsmith and Pemberton put their own personal spin on the pseudo-spiritualist gimmick.
Once more employing a host of of accomplished guest actors that includes veteran pro Alison Steadman superbly portraying a has been actress who could only wish she'd really has been. She offers a portrayal of a slightly temperamental woman who's slight irritability is vastly outweighed by that of her obnoxious employer Ives. The veritable antagonist of which the story finds It's main impetus for upcoming events unfolding. Self-serving, opportunistic and generally plain unlikable Shearsmith delivers the key a quality performance which could so easily descend in to caricature which he deftly avoids. Long time co-collaborator Pemberton is also on hand to deliver stirring support as the latter of the two attended prankee's, a somewhat indifferent, boorish ragamuffin although ultimately vulnerable the actor/co-writer himself sidesteps the pitfall of falling victim to cliché.
Weaving mild humor to the unfolding drama which adroitly counterbalances the tragedy that is to come and the lending of some well rounded characters, one of which you find yourself refreshingly finding yourself sympathizing Seance Time although not completely original makes for a predominantly satisfying conclusion to the series. It's marred only by the restraints of It's half hour running time, although perfectly suited to other dark offerings it's plot would have benefited for a more lengthy narrative. The end result being that It's otherwise horrifying denouement feels overly rushed.
Although let down by It's restraints this final entry makes for a mainly rewarding experience, even if not as innovative as some previous outings It's still worth a watch. With still enough of the freshness and innovation that It's co-writers and stars have presented I await a third series with keen eagerness. With some of the uninspired, dire bilge that's passed off as entertainment It makes for a essential injection of quality. And that's never a bad thing!
A great series finale
Sleepin_Dragon15 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Tina seeks the help of Madam Talbot, a spiritual medium, having never visited one before, she gets more then she bargained for as the Scaredy Cam team are behind the elaborate charade, unfortunately for them sinister forces are truly at work.
I've always thought that Shearsmith and Pemberton are at their best when they explore the Gothic and macabre. This is a brilliant way to end the second series. It feels like they're giving a heads up to series one's successful finale the harrowing, taking it a step further.
Alison Steadman is a joy as Anne, the demanding and frustrated thespian, who's clearly better then the part she's given. Pemberton is hilarious, his seance scene is very funny.
Excellent 9/10
I've always thought that Shearsmith and Pemberton are at their best when they explore the Gothic and macabre. This is a brilliant way to end the second series. It feels like they're giving a heads up to series one's successful finale the harrowing, taking it a step further.
Alison Steadman is a joy as Anne, the demanding and frustrated thespian, who's clearly better then the part she's given. Pemberton is hilarious, his seance scene is very funny.
Excellent 9/10
Steadman as a luvvie
eppingdrwho30 January 2020
This is an amusing end of season episode. It is a simple story but carries some nice atmosphere, it is more comical than some episodes but that is required of the script. Steadman is very amusing and adds lots of impact.
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