Fawlty Towers: The Play - REVIEW

Chaotic tribute act to renowned series

Fawlty Towers is a wonderfully chaotic dive back into golden-age British comedy, brought to life through a stage adaptation that celebrates everything people love about the original sitcom. For me, it was an especially memorable night, as one of the youngest people in the room and a Fawlty Towers' virgin.

That's right. I have never watched the TV show. I went in with no nostalgia, just curiosity.

I'm told the play pulls together the best moments from the series, blending them into a single storyline. It could have easily felt disjointed, but instead it works surprisingly well, giving the performance a fun 'greatest hits' energy while still feeling like it has a clear narrative. As someone new to Fawlty Towers, I found this approach engaging, because it let me experience all the classic jokes and character moments that fans already love.

Clearly others in the audience knew every word. It's a Fawlty Towers tribute act.

The comedy lands exactly as one would expect from something rooted in 1970s' humour. There’s slapstick, innuendos, misunderstandings and that slightly frantic pacing that keeps everything teetering on the edge of disaster. And the humour holds up well, . Even though some of the jokes are 50 years old, they still enjoy a bellyful of laughter. Manuel (Hemi Yeroham), the hopelessly confused waiter, was especially brilliant – every stumble, every misheard instruction, every panicked expression had the room laughing.

Sybil, played by Mia Austen is Prunella Scales-reincarnated perfect. Joanne Clifton's Polly snide but cheery. Paul Nicolas, a 1970s' sitcom veteran himself, was indisposed for the Theatre Royal Plymouth first night, but Neil Sharp played the Major with aplomb. We had Mr Dale the spoon salesman, Miss Richards, deaf and robbed of her £85, and the don't-mention-the-war Germans.

The set embraced the nostalgia too, recreating the rundown Torquay hotel with a lot of charm and attention to detail. Doors slam, arguments break out and guests wander into the wrong places at exactly the wrong times. The direction keeps things moving at a perfect pace, letting the chaos build without becoming overwhelming. It feels true to the spirit of farce where everything spirals out of control just enough to stay funny.

As someone returning to theatre after a long break, what struck me most was the atmosphere. There was something really warm about the shared laughter, with older audience members reliving memories of the show and people like me discovering it for the first time. It’s a reminder of how comedy can bring completely different generations together.

For a first-time viewer and a first-time reviewer, Fawlty Towers was a brilliant way back into live theatre. If you’re looking for light-hearted, timeless comedy that still hits today, this stage version is definitely worth seeing.