Fawlty Towers The Play - Review

Reviewed by Mark at Royal and Derngate in Northampton

Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.

Fawlty Towers is widely renowned as sitcom gold. John Cleese and Connie Booth's hotel-based comedy ran for just 2 series and only 12 episodes, but has been beloved for 50 years since its premiere in 1975. 

Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty. Photo by Hugo Glendinning

The stage adaptation began life in Australia in 2016 before opening in the West End in 2024 now heads on a huge nationwide UK tour. 

Adapting any classic television show always comes with a sense of trepidation. The audience comes in knowing what to expect, knowing the characters so well, and it's no easy job to replicate the work of those who played the roles on TV. Adapted for the stage by John Cleese himself certainly helps and thankfully, this adaptation is a delightful, warm dose of comedy filled with nostalgia.

When you walk into the theatre, you instantly recognise the hotel setting, it's all there, the lobby, the dining room, even the famous hotel sign. Liz Ascroft has done an immaculate job of bringing to hotel to the stage. Every detail has been well thought through. The split-level hotel even has a bedroom on the first floor.

The plot is pulled from various episodes featuring many of the stand-out moments that the audience may expect to see. Instead of playing as separate episodes, it plays as something more linear, allowing for one arc that carries through to the end. 

The play begins with the iconic television theme song before the characters are introduced. It begins focusing more on the potential visit of hotel inspectors before the arrival of the hard-of-hearing Mrs Richards. This is where much of the plot happens in the first act. It does at times feel a little laboured at times and the comedy is a little stifled on stage. 

The second act, which only runs at around 35 minutes, is much more farcical as Basil and co are preparing both for a fire drill and the arrival of a party of German guests. This flies by with bigger laughs and a wonderfully theatrical finale.

Danny Bayne excels as Basil Fawlty. He is a triumph throughout, excelling most in the madder moments when the cracks really show. Whilst honouring the work done by Cleese, he also manages to make the role his own. The build-up of stress and frustration plays out with great aplomb and allows for some of the show's biggest laughs. The biggest of all the laughs does come when Bayne excellently does the famous silly walk in the Germans section. 

Mia Austen as Sybil and Danny Bayne as Basil. Photo by Hugo Glendinning

Mia Austen makes for a brilliant Sybil Fawlty. A great foil to Basil's stupidity at times. Austen delivers superbly in honouring the work done by the late, great Prunella Scales. Joanna Clifton is also perfectly cast as Polly, although Clifton is given little to do, what she does do is played with the right feeling.

Hemi Yeroham plays waiter Manuel really well. He does honour the work done by Andrew Sachs, whilst again offering his own stamp on the character. He is clearly an audience favourite, and the audience warms to the work done by Yeroham.

Jemma Churchill relishes playing Mrs Richards, delivering this larger-than-life matriarchal figure superbly. Whilst Paul Nicholas is tremendous as The Major, playing the gentile, senile old soldier well and delivering some big laughs with his delivery of the lines. Thankfully, some of the outdated language used in the TV show has been updated.

If you're a big fan of the TV show, then you are guaranteed to check in for a good time. Whilst first-time viewers will find plenty of enjoyment too. You may not get the best hospitality from Basil and co, but thankfully, as a guest, you get to check out, having enjoyed the experience of the visit to the hotel, something some of the guests aren't so lucky to have! A nostalgic dose of classic comedy.

⭐⭐⭐

Fawlty Towers: The Play runs at Royal and Derngate in Northampton until Saturday 22nd November 2025. Tickets are available from https://royalandderngate.co.uk/

The production tours with dates booking through until 1st August 2026. For dates and venues, visit https://fawltytowerstour.co.uk/

The cast of Fawlty Towers The Play. Photo by Hugo Glendinning