It may be hard to imagine that iconic 70s TV classic Fawlty Towers could transfer from small screen to the stage and still remain a resounding comic masterpiece. I can assure you it does. This new touring stage version does indeed bring the classic back to life with great success.

Fawlty Towers aired between 1975 and 1979 with just 12 episodes. 50 years on, people still remember the narrative and the characters with great affection. Written by comedy creator John Cleese and his then wife, the hugely talented Connie Booth, the show also featured resounding performances from Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs. Big boots to fill indeed...

The currently touring production features three classic episodes of the series - Communication Problems, The Hotel Inspectors and The Germans, and there are additional (well known) elements thrown in for good measure. Think Basil The Rat... What is refreshing about Fawlty Towers on stage is that it has kept to the true nature of the original script - even though some elements have been criticised as being outdated and not very PC.
What we do get is clever staging and direction that truly brings the infamous Torquay hotel to life and provides a couple of hours of brilliant comedy.    

Danny Bayne is outstanding as Basil Fawlty. Not only does he look like the notoriously rude hotel proprietor, he's also got his voice and mannerisms 'down to a tee'. It's hardly surprising that John Cleese himself cited Danny on X as ‘a funnier Basil than me’.  Bayne has stated that he took the role because it both scared and terrified him and that is why he wanted the challenge!  In fact the whole cast is marvellous in how they portray the raft of eclectic characters - complete with their extreme idiosyncrasies and absurd peculiarities. 

Mia Austen plays Sybil with acerbic timing, tangible enthusiasm and an ear-piercing laugh.
Joanne Clifton is beautifully cast as Polly whom she plays with tender patience and a canny demeaner. Hemi Yeroham is exceptional as the hapless downtrodden but wonderfully funny Manuel - he really does steal the stage at times.  All supporting characters are par excellence too.

Fawlty Towers is indeed a gem of a show - an iconic piece of theatre if ever there was one. 

Five stars

Reviewed by Carol Lovatt at the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent where Fawlty Towers continues to show until Saturday 28 February.