By Gail Schuster, January 2026
In 1975, John Cleese and Connie Booth created 12 half-hour episodes of Fawlty Towers, a comedy for British television. It quickly became a national favourite, loved for its razor-sharp wit, memorable characters and farcical situations. Indeed, many phrases and scenes became ingrained in British culture.
Taking such an iconic and popular television show, rewriting it and adapting it for the stage is a risky undertaking. As the original series holds such a special place in audiences’ hearts, any reinterpretation needs to meet high expectations and satisfy nostalgia.
The play is based on three of Cleese’s favourite episodes, ‘The Hotel Inspectors’, ‘Communication Problems’ and ‘The Germans’ (and the rat makes an appearance too!). Cleese, who took on the task of writing and adapting it for the stage, manages to cleverly merge these into a seamless production, while retaining the brilliance and essence of the original television series.
The farce focuses on Basil Fawlty’s frantic and disastrous attempts to run his Torquay hotel: his strained relationship with his wife, Sybil; his disdain for guests; and his efforts to maintain standards while hiding his own failings. Basil’s attempts to impress guests, particularly a potential hotel inspector, spiral into chaos as he clashes with his wife and staff, the hapless Manuel and the resourceful Polly. The production builds towards a madcap climax involving German guests and the looming threat of inspection.
“Perfect foil”
Caroline Jay Ranger, the director, has previously and successfully adapted Only Fools and Horses, another classic British sitcom, for the stage. Her direction ensures the pace is maintained and the actors are not inhibited by being mere impersonations of the original characters.
Danny Bayne’s Basil Fawlty is outstanding. He nails the character’s sharp sarcasm, blending physical comedy with bite. His comic timing is spot on, elevating the farce and keeping the audience entertained throughout the evening.
Equally impressive is Mia Austen’s portrayal of Sybil Fawlty, who deftly captures Sybil’s sharp tongue and unflappable nature, including her shrill and unmistakable laugh, providing a perfect foil to Basil.
Joanne Clifton, perhaps best known for her time on Strictly Come Dancing, when she won the 2016 Glitterball with her partner Ore Oduba, plays Polly. Clifton brings warmth, intelligence and a hint of mischief to the part, making Polly instantly likeable.
“Sharp-tongued”
Hemi Yeroham’s portrayal of Manuel is both hilarious and endearing. He perfectly captures Manuel’s confusion and enthusiasm, and his body language and expressive reactions draw plenty of laughs. Paul Nicholas brings gentle eccentricity to the role of the Major, delivering his lines with perfectly judged absent-mindedness, adding to the character’s loveable befuddlement. Jemma Churchill’s hard-of-hearing Mrs Richards, who will not turn her hearing aid on to save the battery, is a scene-stealer. Her sharp-tongued complaints and retorts are delivered with gusto. These performances work beautifully together, giving heart and humour to the production.
The set design by Liz Ascroft expertly combines the original BBC sets for the reception, office and dining room into a functional space, allowing the actors to move seamlessly between scenes.
John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers: The Play is a wonderful homage to one of Britain’s best-loved sitcoms. It strikes a fine balance between nostalgia and fresh interpretation. The cast’s impeccable performances, sympathetic direction and clever set design capture the spirit and chaos of the original series, while making it accessible to new audiences. All in all, it is a cracking night out that captures the magic of the original while offering something new for everyone. And it was not just one person who left the theatre grinning from ear to ear, proof that Fawlty Towers’ comic genius is as timeless as ever.
images: Hugo Glendinning
Gail Schuster( Writer )
Gail is a woman with many interests. She loves a bracing walk through the countryside, filling her lungs with air and enjoying the flora and fauna along the way. An animal lover, she has found herself sharing her home with creatures with four, six and eight legs, though some of the ones with a higher number of legs have been introduced by her daughter! A keen theatre goer, Gail once ran the entertainment section of her work’s social club. When she’s not walking or enjoying a performance, you can usually find her in the garden or cooking up something in the kitchen. An enthusiastic home cook who likes to try her hand at new dishes which are mostly appreciated by her husband and daughter, broccoli roulade or cauliflower pizza aside. Able to converse in several languages, Gail eventually found her cosy corner in her adopted Yorkshire.
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