Danny Bayne as Basil and Hemi Yeroham as Manuel in Fawlty Towers – The Play (UK tour)
Fawlty Towers – The Play, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Fawlty Towers is one of the most well-known and revered British sitcoms. Even though it is now 50 years old and only 12 episodes were made it still often tops polls. I think the reasons for that are of course it being incredibly funny and also that is so very British. Adapting it into a play was a no-brainer, and I’m surprised it took so long.
For the stage version they have taken three episodes – The Hotel Inspectors, Communication Problems, and (arguably the best known) The Germans – and joined them into one continuing piece, which works brilliantly (John Cleese adapted it himself so it was in safe hands).
Before it begins we have the visual of the set which recreates the many iconic settings of the TV series: the outside of the hotel, the sign, the reception, the dining room, the stairs, and even an upstairs room. It all takes you right back. It was brilliantly designed by Liz Ascroft who also designed the costumes which are also perfectly recreated.
All the characters from the show are wonderfully brought back to life: Basil (Danny Bayne), Sybil (Mia Austen), Manuel (Hemi Yeroham), Polly (Joanne Clifton), The Major (Paul Nicholas), and Mrs Richards (Jemma Churchill). All the actors have these characters down to a T. Bayne had all of Basil’s physicality – as did Yeroham as Manuel (along with his accent). At times with Austen I felt like I was watching the actual Prunella Scales. I was also impressed by Clifton who had perfected Polly’s mid-Atlantic accent. Excellent comedy timing throughout as well as some wonderfully performed slapstick.
In a world where non-PC comedy is disappearing it was great to see this hadn’t been altered or diluted. The Germans episode probably wouldn’t be made now – and if it is shown at all these days it would probably be edited or have a pre-broadcast warning. You could sense that the audience loved this about it.
This works brilliantly as a play. It’s brilliantly performed, nostalgic, and laugh out loud funny.
Fans will not be disappointed.
5 stars. A wonderful theatrical tribute to an iconic TV comedy.
