Fawlty Towers extends booking in the West End to 1 March 2025 at the Apollo Theatre
Where and when?
Fifty years since it was first recorded at BBC Television Centre in 1974, the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times) Fawlty Towers, has been adapted for the West End stage by comedy legend John Cleese and is premiering at London’s Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue until 1 March 2025.
Who’s in the cast?
Basil played by Adam Jackson-Smith; Sybil played by Anna-Jane Casey; Manuel played by Hemi Yeroham; Polly played by Victoria Fox; The Major played by Paul Nicholas; Mrs Richards played by Rachel Izen; Mr Hutchinson/German guest played by Steven Meo; Miss Tibbs played by Kate Russell-Smith; Miss Gatsby played by Nicola Sanderson; Mr Thurston/German guest played by Greg Haiste; Mr Walt / Dr Finn played by Danny Bayne; Taxi Driver/ Mr Firkins / Mr Kerr / Mr Sharp played by Neil Stuart, German guest played by Emma Fenney and Hotel Guests: Mia Austen, John Hasler, Dale Superville. Completing our company of players are Ben Jacobson and Suzy Bloom.
Creative team
Cleese, who co-wrote the original TV series with Connie Booth and starred as the inimitable Basil Fawlty, has written a two-hour play based on three of the original TV episodes – ‘The Hotel Inspector’ and ‘The Germans’ from series one and ‘Communication Problems’ from series two.
Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger (Only Fools and Horses The Musical & Monty Python Live), John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers will bring many of the beloved sitcom characters to life on stage for an unmissable evening of hilarity.
What’s the show about?
Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts to ingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. The situation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his ever vigilant and bossy wife, Sybil. Together they run their hotel with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who is the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.
Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on 19 September 1975. The iconic TV show went on to win many awards and plaudits including two BAFTAS for Best Situation Comedy and in 2000 it was voted the best British programme of all time in a British Film Institute poll. Set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay, just 12 half hour episodes of the iconic comedy were made.
The sitcom is based on a real-life hotel owner, Donald Sinclair. John Cleese came up with the idea for the character of Basil Fawlty when he stayed at Sinclair’s Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay and became fascinated with his incredibly rude behaviour.
Assisted performances
TBC
What did I think?
“a gorgeously truthful homage to fifty years of comedy genius” ★★★★. Read my full review.
Where can I get tickets?
https://westendwilma.londontheatredirect.com/play/john-cleeses-fawlty-towers-the-play-tickets
