Following huge critical acclaim and major demand for tickets, John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play, “the funniest show in town” (Daily Express), today announces that it is extending its run in London’s West End at the Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue for an additional three months until 4 January 2025. Tickets are on sale now from FawltyTowersWestend.com.
This “as good as comedy gets” (Sunday Times) production – which opened to a host of 4 and 5 star rave reviews - is directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, and stars Adam Jackson-Smith as Basil; Anna-Jane Casey as Sybil; Hemi Yeroham as Manuel; Victoria Fox as Polly and Paul Nicholas as The Major.
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.
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 – complete with a new finale.
The play also features many of the beloved characters from the original TV sitcom on stage for an unmissable evening of “Fawltless” (Mail on Sunday) comedy: 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 Stewart, German guest played by Emma Fenney and Hotel Guests: Mia Austen, John Hasler, Dale Superville. Completing the company of players are Ben Jacobson and Suzy Bloom.
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.
The creative team includes:
Written by John Cleese & Connie Both
Adapted for the stage by John Cleese
Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger
Set & Costume Designer – Liz Ascroft
Lighting Designer – Ian Scott
Casting Director – Anne Vosser
Assistant Director – Denise Ranger
Resident Director – Chris Kiely
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue
Booking Until: 4 January 2025
Performances: Tuesday – Saturday at 7:30pm. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinee at 2:30pm
Website: FawltyTowersWestend.com
Instagram @FawltyTowersWestEnd
Facebook: @FawltyTowersWestend
X: @FawltyTowersWE
Picture: Hugo Glendenning
