I’M not going to lie – I was slightly apprehensive about watching Fawlty Towers – The Play.
Not just because I’m a few years too young to remember it the first time round back in 1975.
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And also not because I feel like I may well have seen every moment already when flicking past Fawlty Towers reruns on terrestrial telly.
But more because generally, I didn’t think I was a fan of farce, or slapstick, or – to be honest – comfortable watching the vein-popping, eye twitching high level stress that Basil Fawlty had to endure every episode.
So taking all that into account – I confidently thought I was going to be a tough crowd to please.
But I’m delighted to say, I was completely wrong on all counts.
Astonishing levels of mimicry and imitation.
Or, as waiter Manuel might like to say, ‘I Know Nothing…’
Lets be honest – there’s a reason that the original show – which ran for a mere 12 episodes – has managed to stay firmly at the top of the ‘best British sitcoms’ charts.
And that, I discovered within about five minutes of the play starting, is thanks to a whipsmart script, spot on timing and strong comedy characters.
John Cleese – for it is he who bought it to the stage – has cleverly stitched together three of his favourites – The Hotel Inspectors, Communication Problems and The Germans.
And the cast bring every moment of every episode to life in astonishing levels of mimicry and imitation.
Is it any different to the original? No.
Was it exactly what the audience were here to see and wanted and loved? Absolutely.
From the moment a brilliant Danny Bayne marches onto set – you’re transported straight back to that dilapidated Torquay hotel.
From every eye twitch and pratfall to vein bulge and goose step – he literally is John Cleese.
He sounds and looks so like him it’s uncanny. And happily he’s got the comedy timing and a brand new supporting cast to back him up to the hilt.
Along with Mia Austen’s Sybil, Hemi Yeroham’s Manuel, Joanne Clifton’s Polly, Paul Nicholas’ The Major, and Helen Lederer as Mrs Richards – you could be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled into a live recording of the original.
And what it’s really got going for it – as well as the incredibly strong performances – is the fact that it really works well on a stage.
All the comings and goings of the hotel – with actors entering and leaving at all times, really adds to the setting.
And although it doesn’t bring anything new – it’s just a perfect retelling of what turns out is a very funny TV show.
Yes, the part with Ze Germans would probably be considered a bit close to the bone by a woker, younger audience.
But they’re not here – as the spontaneous round of applause and shrieks of laughter demonstrate.
In short – it does exactly what it says on the tin. If you loved it then, you’ll love it now.
And if you thought that you might not like it – you’ll probably be proved wrong on all counts.
A genuinely funny, heartwarming blast of nostalgia to make you laugh out loud.
Fawlty Towers
Apollo Theatre, London, until Sep 13th then a UK tour
★★★★
For tickets visit fawltytowerstour.co.uk
