For fans of the original Fawlty Towers, this production captures the slapstick fast-paced comedy to a tee. Basil Fawlty, played by Danny Bayne, should never have made the career choice to run a hotel. Without his long-suffering wife Sybil (Mia Austin), the business would have closed down years ago.

The Major (Paul Nicholas) remains loyal to the hotelliers regardless of how crazy the situations become. Although he spends most of the time looking for a newspaper and appears to be somewhat oblivious. Until he spies a rat in the lounge, and he jumps into action.

There are occasions when you can’t help but feel a bit sorry for Basil. Everyone is hurling orders at him, and most don’t listen to a word he says. Although he uses a lot of sarcasm and can come across caustic most of the time, some of those on receiving end of him don’t actually help themselves. Dealing with the public can be challenging as he highlights.

A special mention has to go to Basil’s right-hand man Manuel (Hemi Yeroham), the long-suffering Spanish waiter whose broken English causes additional chaos. Which is beautifully balanced by the calm and level-headed waitress and maid Polly (Joanne Clifton) who takes everything in her stride.

Set designer Liz Ascroft has closely recreated the main areas of the original set from the front check-in desk, complete with the annoying desk bell to the old-fashioned dining room layout with frilled table cloths dated wallpaper covering, plus a couple of beautiful glass decanters.

By the audience demographic in this afternoons auditorium, it would be safe to assume that many but not exclusively all had been fans of the original comedy series. It’s a well scripted, cast and performed tribute to the original series. Bear in mind that some attitudes and language were acceptable at the time it was originally scripted.

For more information about John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers The Play and future productions at Woking Theatre, please use the link below.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Hugo Glendinning.

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/fawlty-towers-the-play/woking-theatre/

https://www.wokingtheatre.co.uk/shows/new-victoria-theatre/fawlty-towers