Fawlty Towers: The Play At Theatre Royal Plymouth Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Laura B
I couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit the Theatre Royal in Plymouth for Fawlty Towers – The Play. This was predominantly because my late Father, had always been a huge John Cleese fan, and in the 1970s, at a time when we all only had only three TV channels, I vividly remember settling onto the sofa on a Friday evening for 30 minutes, to watch Fawlty Towers, when I was around 10, and finding it as funny then, as I still do now!
I also had personal experience of working as a chambermaid/waitress in a small Torquay Hotel/Guest House during my school holidays (before I headed off to college), and I certainly recall in ‘real life’ some of the farcical characters that John Cleese and Connie Booth, so poignantly created for us all in the iconic series.
Caroline Ranger has adapted and directed this iconic production, ensuring that it has been brought back to life, bringing laughter and pleasure to generations, once again, on stage through fresh eyes.
In creating ‘The Play’ Cleese has selected three of his favourite episodes from the original 12, which include, “The Hotel Inspectors”, “Communication Problems” and “The Germans”, encompassing several of the iconic characters, adapting and transferring them from the TV screen to the stage whilst maintaining the humour and wit.
The comedic timing, quick wit, the mannerisms, chaos, and nostalgia were all there tonight on stage and the audience was loving the stage rendition of this old favourite.
The set remains the same throughout the play, and is more or less, an exact copy of the original Fawlty Towers with its front entrance hall, reception desk area, and office, the stairway, dining room and an upstairs bedroom. In fact, all the familiar details that every fan will recall. Even the telephone ring sound, is exactly as I remember!
I was interested to discover how the chaotic Basil, unflappable Sybil and Manuel’s misunderstandings of the English language, would be adapted to the stage. Yet here we were decades later, with the audience laughing throughout, and the first hour passing far too quickly, as we arrived at the interval.
Danny Bayne, who gives us the hotel owner and manager, Basil Fawlty, portrays an energetic, manic performance, with his barely controlled rage and twitchiness, balancing his comedic timings exactly as you will remember from the original role. Mia Austen, playing Sybil, the wife of Basil, calmly throws in her cutting remarks, quips, voice intonation and eye rolls, which combined give us a standout performance. And, with Hemi Yeroham, as Manuel, the non-English speaking, Spanish waiter from Barcelona, we are treated to some of the biggest laughs of the evening; as Yeroham, perfectly inhabits Manuel’s role, with wit, confusion, physical comedy and impeccable timing. Together the cast brings the original characters to life, as they each embody and own each of the respective roles.
Every famous line, including “Don’t mention the war!” and “I know nothing!” was welcomed with laughter, due to the energy and authenticity of the performances. The audience is not just remembering the original jokes; they are rediscovering them and some of the youngsters in the theatre, are being introduced to Fawlty Towers for the very first time.
Whether you are a Fawlty Towers fan or a newcomer to the world of Basil and his hotel team, you will certainly be leaving the theatre chuckling, quoting your favourite lines, and perhaps even booking in for some more Torquay hospitality as, Fawlty Towers – The Play, has stood the test of time.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £29
Fawlty Towers – The Play is at The Theatre Royal Plymouth from 02/12/2025 – 06/12/2025
For more information or to book tickets visit https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/fawlty-towers/ or phone the box office on 01752 668282
Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR