Fawlty Towers - Derngate Theatre, Northampton

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Fawlty Towers has always been in my top five of favourite comedy shows.  Its slapstick humour and comic timing is legendary.  For those who have never stayed at Fawlty Towers, this hotel is run by Basil and Sybil Fawlty, helped by Polly and Manuel.  Basil is henpecked and although he tries his best to be pleasant to both staff and his guests, he often is run ragged and loses his temper quite easily.  Sybil loves a chat and although calm, she expects Basil to do most of the work.  Polly is a housemaid but honestly, Basil and Sybil could not run the hotel without her.  She covers for Basil and smoothes things over with guests.  Manuel…well he is from Barcelona.

This classic comedy that was so popular in the 1970’s is now returning for a UK tour and you do not want to miss this.  Its two hours of all your favourite bits live on stage.  We have a hotel inspector where Basil mistakenly thinks the spoon salesman is the inspector.  We have the deaf woman who complains about everything and of course we have a rat and some German guests.

Danny Bayne is outstanding as Basil Fawlty.  Its always hard to imagine someone else other than John Cleese playing Basil, but Danny has pulled it off.  Every mannerism, the voice and even the genius comic timing is all there.  Danny had me in stitches laughing at sketches I know so well.  Sybil is played by Mia Austen.  Mia nails the voice of Sybil and her ‘I know’ catchphrase perfectly.  Her hair is flawless and she captures the role excellently.  A lasting tribute to Prunella Scales who passed away recently.

Polly is played by Joanne Clifton.  Joanne is such a talent and makes the perfect Polly.  She surprised us all when she spoke fluent Spanish to Manuel and I loved the scene with Polly, Basil and Mr Hutchinson where they were not looking at the person they are speaking to.  Goodness that must have taken some practice.  Absolutely brilliant.  Hemi Yeroham plays Manuel, the waiter we all love.  Poor Manuel is not appreciated but with his broken English, things often go wrong in translation.  He is funny and his upbeat manner really does add to the comedy.

The whole cast are brilliant but I would like to say how much I enjoyed Paul Nicholas as The Major.  When he misplaces Basil’s winnings and then finds it in his inside jacket pocket.  Brilliant comic timing.  This whole show is fabulous.  The sets feel very authentic and they even change the title of the hotel in the second half if you look closely, just like they did on those iconic 12 episodes.  I absolutely loved everything about this show and would recommend it.  You will not be disappointed.

Fresh from a sold-out West End season, this laugh-out-loud production with its sharp wit, chaos, and calamity at every turn, makes this the comedy event of the year!

Fawlty Towers is at the Derngate Theatre in Northampton until 22 November and then continues its UK tour.