My first comment is that the cast are excellent. They completely inhabit their characters, nailing every mannerism from the original series. Whether it’s Sybil’s distinctive laugh, the slapstick chaos between Basil and Manuel, or the Major’s confusion, everything feels spot on. A special mention must go to Danny Bayne, who perfectly captures the forever stressed and under-the-thumb Basil. The set also deserves praise — it feels as though it’s been lifted straight from the TV show, perfectly authentic to the time period.
The show itself is made up entirely of scenes taken directly from the series. That’s both its biggest strength and its biggest weakness. While it’s undeniably fun to revisit so many classic moments, the lack of originality does stand out. As much as I laughed and enjoyed the nostalgia, I couldn’t help but wish for something new — even just a few fresh scenes to tie it all together. To be blunt, you could just as easily stay home and watch the TV show on DVD. A bit of creative risk-taking, even if imperfect, would have gone a long way. As it stands, the play is more a greatest-hits compilation than a story with a real plot.
That said, fans of the original Fawlty Towers will absolutely love this production, and the audience definitely skews older. For those who enjoy the comfort of familiarity and a dose of nostalgia, it’s an enjoyable night out. But for anyone else, it may struggle to connect and that’s coming from a Fawlty Towers fan.
Dan Carter for Canal St Media