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There are few invitations in British comedy more tempting than the chance to check in to Fawlty Towers, and at the Regent Theatre this week, audiences can do just that. Fifty years after Fawlty Towers first graced our screens, this brand-new stage adaptation, written by co-creator John Cleese, not only cements the sitcom as an institution but delivers it in a way that feels fun, fresh, yet faithful to the original.
As someone who quotes the show almost daily, from ‘Is this a piece of your brain?’ to ‘I’m doing it!,’ this may just be one of my favourite plays I’ve ever seen (and let me tell you, I’ve seen my share.) It was certainly my fiance’s and I didn’t think anything would top the Only Fools and Horses musical for him.
From the second the curtain rises, the set transports you straight to that unmistakable Torquay hotel. The attention to detail is exceptional, with the reception and dining room being instantly recognisable.
Danny Bayne absolutely nails Basil’s mannerisms, from his somewhat short-fused frustration to his side-splitting physical comedy. His dynamic with Sybil is brilliant, capturing their gloriously manacled marriage that remains one of British sitcom’s finest creations.
Mia Austin has enormous shoes to fill as Sybil, originally immortalised by the late Prunella Scales, but she delivers a phenomenal performance. The voice, the presence, the withering looks – it’s all there. At times it genuinely feels as though Sybil has stepped straight from screen to stage.
The supporting cast are equally strong. Neil Stuward’s delightfully bumbling Major draws giggles throughout, while Strictly’s Joanne Clifton brings warmth and wit to Polly. Jemma Churchill’s Mrs Richards is a comic masterclass in timing and escalation, and Hemi Yeroham’s Manuel is an absolute crowd-pleaser – perfectly pitched and never overdone.
The farce unfolds at full throttle to deliver a laugh-a-minute production that is packed with the very best moments from all twelve television episodes, woven cleverly into one riotous evening of hotel inspectors, Germans and more. While it’s essential viewing for fans of the show, you don’t need encyclopaedic knowledge of the original series to enjoy it, with the play providing an opportunity for new fans to discover the joy of Fawlty Towers.
Fresh from a sold-out West End run, this production does a wonderful job to honour the legacy of what many consider the greatest British sitcom of all time, while standing firmly on its own as a superb piece of theatre. If you’re looking for an evening of nostalgia and feel-good humour, I can wholeheartedly recommend booking a stay. Catch Fawlty Towers the play at The Regent Theatre until Saturday, February 28.
