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Empty Orchestra is so-called as it takes place in a room decked out in karaoke equipment, with mystery abound(ish) as Roger’s (Steve Pemberton) just been given a promotion at work and is celebrating with a staff night out, hence Greg (Reece Shearsmith) is in a sumo outfit, Janet (Emily Howlett) is dressed as Boy George and so on.
Amongst a to-do between Greg and both girlfriend Fran (Sarah Hadland) and another colleague, Connie (Tamzin Outhwaite), plus with Duane (Javone Prince) encouraging them all to all take drugs on a roulette basis (eg. ecstasy, ketamine… but also paracetamol, an orange Tic Tac and a laxative), the big mystery is the reason for all the names on Roger’s envelope, most of whom are in the same room (No.9, as ever). What’s the reason for this?
With songs mostly in place of dialogue (hence the karaoke setting), it’s an interesting diversion, but it wasn’t as gripping as the previous two episodes, overall, leaving Empty Orchestra as merely ‘okay’, and one with a reasonable conclusion, but it doesn’t stand out as a great episode.
Empty Orchestra is broadcast next Tuesday on BBC2 at 10pm, and the series continues every Tuesday at the same time.
Inside No.9 Series 3 is available to pre-order on Blu-ray and DVD. You can also buy Series 1 and 2 on DVD together, plus the recent releases of Inside No.9 Series 1 on Blu-ray and Inside No.9 Series 2 on Blu-ray, and after broadcast, you can also watch this episode on BBC iPlayer until April 7th.
Score: 5/10
Director: Guillem Morales
Producer: Adam Tandy
Screenplay: Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton
Cast:
Greg: Reece Shearsmith
Connie: Tamzin Outhwaite
Fran: Sarah Hadland
Roger: Steve Pemberton
Janet: Emily Howlett
Duane: Javone Prince
Chantel: Rebekah Hinds
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.