By Nick Pilgrim
The British pop star, Boy George, was once quoted as saying while Fawlty Towers was his favourite show, he always needed a good lie down after watching it. Set in a quaint family-run Torquay hotel, it seems incredulous to think the award-winning series celebrates its golden anniversary in 2025.
How time flies.
Mixing unhinged farce with politically incorrect chaos, the classic sitcom continues to stand the test of time. Such is the manic energy this celebrated comedy displayed, is it any wonder.
Its staying power in the public eye is due to brilliant writing from the former husband and wife creative team of John Cleese and Connie Booth. Together, Cleese (as Basil Fawlty – the hotel’s proprietor) and Booth (as Polly Sherman – his pragmatic maid) did double duty acting alongside Prunella Scales (as Sybil Fawlty, Basil’s frustrated wife) and Andrew Sachs (Manuel – their hapless Spanish waiter).
Like lightning in a bottle, the quartet turned traditional comedy on its head with situations that included:
- trying to hide a hotel guest’s dead body (The Kipper & The Corpse)
- forcing Polly to fake Sybil’s identity for his wife’s friends after the couple have a fight (The Anniversary)
- Manuel keeping a pet rat which he thinks is a Siberian Hamster (Basil the Rat)
- Basil attempting to place a bet without Sybil’s knowledge (Communication Problems)
Though only twelve episodes in all were produced over two seasons (in 1975 and 1979), each one is considered an instant classic to this day.
Given Fawlty Towers’ worldwide popularity, spin-offs and tribute shows were inevitable.
The ultimate living and breathing accolade, Faulty Towers – The (Original) Dining Experience marks a delightful return season to this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. What makes this format unique is that diners form an integral part of the action.
Paced over two hours and thirty minutes, guests are asked to gather in the restaurant adjacent bar prior to seating. Right from the get-go, the outrageous fun begins.
As Basil, James Colbourn-Keogh enters the room in immediate character. Demonstrating this television icon’s delicious contempt in spades, Colbourn-Keogh’s perfect physical presence and verbal tone are second to none.
Much to my complete embarrassment and everyone else’s delight, even the booking made under my editor’s name didn’t escape attention. Announcing to all and sundry , Basil growled, “What kind of a surname is Weber?”
Playing Manuel, Michael Gonsalves doesn’t stand a chance. An immediate mix-up over collecting everyone’s glasses left the room in hysterics. Setting the mood at expert level was an early hint of things to come.
Playing both intermediary and Devil’s advocate, Eilannin Harris-Black (as Sybil) is their inspired match. You really sense her constant blend of desperation and indifference.
Staged during a three course pre-ordered meal, this is very much a comedy of errors, where Manuel’s obvious language barrier provides generous fodder for the evening’s entertainment.
Whether he is moved to dancing Flamenco on a table, or asking diners to stack their plates, being part of the festivities makes for an unforgettable night.
As my plus-one for the event noted, the key to this show is how it cherry picks elements from the original series and blends them into this masterclass of improvisation.
Meaning, after a while you forget the trio are actors but instead, doing their best to undo the business Basil and Sybil had taken great pains to build.
Now in its 25th year, the worldwide franchise has performed at numerous venues around the world including the Sydney Opera House.
What makes it special is capping the room to a certain number of tables in total. That way, viewers are provided with a spectacle which is both intimate and tailored especially for them.
If you’re a fan of Fawlty Towers as I am sure everyone in the room was, improv or interactive and participatory theatre in general such as The Play That Goes Wrong, One Man – Two Guvnors or Trainspotting, this is the outing for you.
Very much a production which takes a village to stage, creative credits include Allison Pollard-Mansergh (Artistic Director) and Jack Baldwin (Associate Director). Their shared vision makes for a journey that maintains total audience commitment from start to finish.
Faulty Towers – The (Original) Dining Experience plays for a strictly limited season until Sunday April 6. Don’t miss out.
