Fawlty Towers - The Play
Press night at the Apollo Theatre welcomed a star-studded audience eagerly awaiting a nostalgic night at Fawlty Towers - The Play and it didn’t disappoint. Adapted for the stage by original co-creator John Cleese, this new West End production faithfully brings to life the beloved 70s sitcom, offering a riotous blast from the past for long-time fans and curious newcomers alike.
Set in the gloriously old-fashioned Apollo, the play’s setting couldn’t be more fitting. The production leans proudly into its vintage charm, offering a faithful recreation of the chaotic Torquay hotel and its delightfully unhinged staff. The audience buzzed with excitement — and from the first misplaced reservation to the last goose-stepping disaster, belly laughs echoed through the auditorium like familiar old friends.
Transforming a cult TV classic into a stage show is always a risky business — the bar is set sky-high, and expectations are fierce. But Fawlty Towers meets the challenge head-on. Rather than reinventing the wheel, the production embraces the original material wholeheartedly, right down to the chaotic caricatures, dry one-liners, and delightfully daft misunderstandings. The direction is tight, slick, and unashamedly traditional — and frankly, it works.
The cast deserve high praise for capturing the essence of the iconic characters. The actors channelled the spirit of the original performances with uncanny accuracy — from Basil’s irrefutable grumpiness to Manuel’s confused enthusiasm, bringing bold, over the top performances, entirely in the spirit of the original.
Though the humour is unmistakably of its time — peppered with jokes that some may find outdated — it’s presented with a knowing wink. The audience seemed to accept the material with a pinch of salt, understanding that this is a piece of television history being revisited, not rewritten. That said, younger audiences unfamiliar with the show’s tone or style may find the humour a little lost in translation.
If we were to nit-pick, the pacing could use a little fine-tuning. Act One felt slightly overlong, while Act Two zipped by in a flash — a rebalancing of scenes would help the show find a more satisfying rhythm. Still, it never dragged. The drama escalated with perfect timing, and the increasingly ridiculous scenarios built to a crescendo that left the audience in stitches.
The set, as one might hope, is practically a character in itself — the familiar foyer of the Fawlty Towers hotel is beautifully realised, bursting with doors to slam, phones to ignore, and guests to offend. It’s a farce playground, and the physical comedy is executed with commendable precision.
Altogether, Fawlty Towers is a celebration of British eccentricity — a theatrical throwback bursting with nostalgic joy, and amusing mayhem. It’s a night at the theatre that embraces chaos, delivering a hearty dose of feel-good farce.. and for a comedy about a hotel, there are still a lot of jokes in there foyer!
Fans of the original will no doubt adore this affectionate recreation — it’s a trip down memory lane that reminds us of a time when bad service was comedy gold. Besides, what could be more British than revelling in another’s misfortunate compilation of compromising scenarios?!
Currently playing at the Apollo Theatre, Fawlty Towers - The Play is booking until Saturday 13 September 2025 after which it will tour the UK. Grab your suitcase, check in, and prepare for a stay you won’t soon forget. For tickets visit: https://fawltytowerswestend.com/
Review written by Lauren Atkinson
AD/Gifted
Photo credit : Hugo Glendinning
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