John Cleese’s ‘Fawlty Towers’
Image by Hugo Glendinning
Some television shows entertain us for a season or two before quietly fading into nostalgia. Occasionally, others stand the test of time and leave a lasting mark on British comedy. Fawlty Towers firmly belongs in the latter category. First broadcast between 1975 and 1979, the sitcom ran for just twelve episodes, yet its impact on British comedy has been extraordinary. Although I missed Fawlty Towers the first time around, I grew up watching its re-runs, which introduced one of Britain's greatest sitcoms to generations who weren't even born when it first aired.
Today, Fawlty Towers continues to find new audiences while retaining the affection of those who first watched it in the 1970s. After two sold-out, critically acclaimed runs in the West End, John Cleese's Fawlty Towers - The Play is now showing at the Theatre Royal Bath as part of an extensive eleven-month UK tour. I was in the audience for yesterday's press night performance.
Today, Fawlty Towers continues to find new audiences while retaining the affection of those who first watched it in the 1970s. After two sold-out, critically acclaimed runs in the West End, John Cleese's Fawlty Towers - The Play is now showing at the Theatre Royal Bath as part of an extensive eleven-month UK tour. I was in the audience for yesterday's press night performance.
Image by Hugo Glendinning
Marking fifty years since Fawlty Towers first premiered on BBC Two in 1975, this new stage adaptation comes from comedy legend John Cleese, who co-created the iconic sitcom with Connie Booth, and is directed by original West End director Caroline Jay Ranger.
For anyone who has ever smiled at Basil Fawlty's barely contained fury, Manuel's chaotic misunderstandings or Sybil's razor-sharp put-downs, Danny Bayne, Hemi Yeroham and Mia Austen step confidently into these iconic roles, making Fawlty Towers exactly the nostalgic night out you'd hope it would be. For Monday’s 6th July performance, the role of Polly was performed by Ashleigh Harvey, who delivered a pitch-perfect, nostalgic recreation of Connie Booth’s original television role.
Rather than reinventing one of Britain's most beloved sitcoms, this stage adaptation embraces it wholeheartedly, stitching together some of the series' funniest and most iconic moments into a fast-paced evening of comedy. The result feels less like a conventional play and more like a greatest-hits collection, lovingly recreated for a live audience.
That affection for the original shines through in every performance. Each actor captures the mannerisms, timing and personalities that made these characters so enduring, while never slipping into parody. Basil's frantic attempts to keep disaster at bay remain as gloriously hopeless as ever, Manuel's innocent confusion still delights, and Sybil commands every scene with effortless authority.
For anyone who has ever smiled at Basil Fawlty's barely contained fury, Manuel's chaotic misunderstandings or Sybil's razor-sharp put-downs, Danny Bayne, Hemi Yeroham and Mia Austen step confidently into these iconic roles, making Fawlty Towers exactly the nostalgic night out you'd hope it would be. For Monday’s 6th July performance, the role of Polly was performed by Ashleigh Harvey, who delivered a pitch-perfect, nostalgic recreation of Connie Booth’s original television role.
Rather than reinventing one of Britain's most beloved sitcoms, this stage adaptation embraces it wholeheartedly, stitching together some of the series' funniest and most iconic moments into a fast-paced evening of comedy. The result feels less like a conventional play and more like a greatest-hits collection, lovingly recreated for a live audience.
That affection for the original shines through in every performance. Each actor captures the mannerisms, timing and personalities that made these characters so enduring, while never slipping into parody. Basil's frantic attempts to keep disaster at bay remain as gloriously hopeless as ever, Manuel's innocent confusion still delights, and Sybil commands every scene with effortless authority.
Image by Hugo Glendinning
The production is also helped greatly by Liz Ascroft's charming set and costume design, which perfectly captures the look and feel of the fictional Torquay hotel. From the instantly recognisable reception desk to the carefully chosen costumes, every detail adds to the production's sense of nostalgia and authenticity. It's a warm, inviting design that transports the audience straight back into the world of Fawlty Towers and complements the comedy beautifully. The familiar theme tune welcomes the audience as the play begins and reappears throughout as incidental music, neatly marking the transitions between scenes.
Like the television series, much of the comedy comes from physical humour. Doors slam, people rush around in a panic, simple problems spiral wildly out of control, and one misunderstanding quickly leads to another. The cast fully commit to every moment, while the sharp dialogue and excellent comic timing keep the laughs coming from start to finish.
And the audience's reaction spoke volumes. Laughter rolled around the auditorium almost constantly, with spontaneous applause greeting several of the show's most recognisable moments. There's something uniquely enjoyable about experiencing comedy this familiar alongside hundreds of other people who know exactly what's coming yet still laugh just as hard.
Those looking for a bold reimagining may find the production plays things safely, staying remarkably faithful to the source material rather than offering a fresh interpretation. But that feels entirely intentional. This is a celebration of a sitcom that has remained beloved for decades, and it trusts that the original material still has the power to entertain; which, judging by the audience response, it absolutely does.
Fawlty Towers isn't trying to be revolutionary theatre. Instead, it delivers exactly what it promises: an evening of joyful, comforting comedy that honours one of Britain's greatest sitcoms with warmth, affection and infectious energy. Fans old and new are likely to leave with a smile on their faces, reminded why these unforgettable characters have continued to endure for generations.
The play is appearing at the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 July.
Like the television series, much of the comedy comes from physical humour. Doors slam, people rush around in a panic, simple problems spiral wildly out of control, and one misunderstanding quickly leads to another. The cast fully commit to every moment, while the sharp dialogue and excellent comic timing keep the laughs coming from start to finish.
And the audience's reaction spoke volumes. Laughter rolled around the auditorium almost constantly, with spontaneous applause greeting several of the show's most recognisable moments. There's something uniquely enjoyable about experiencing comedy this familiar alongside hundreds of other people who know exactly what's coming yet still laugh just as hard.
Those looking for a bold reimagining may find the production plays things safely, staying remarkably faithful to the source material rather than offering a fresh interpretation. But that feels entirely intentional. This is a celebration of a sitcom that has remained beloved for decades, and it trusts that the original material still has the power to entertain; which, judging by the audience response, it absolutely does.
Fawlty Towers isn't trying to be revolutionary theatre. Instead, it delivers exactly what it promises: an evening of joyful, comforting comedy that honours one of Britain's greatest sitcoms with warmth, affection and infectious energy. Fans old and new are likely to leave with a smile on their faces, reminded why these unforgettable characters have continued to endure for generations.
The play is appearing at the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 July.