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It’s been half a century since Fawlty Towers started recording at the BBC and went on to become one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, despite having just 12 episodes.
Now John Cleese, who starred as Basil Fawlty in the original series, has written a two-hour play based on the show he co-wrote with his ex-wife and Polly star Connie Booth.
Fawlty Towers: The Play will be based on three classic episodes: The Hotel Inspector, The Germans and Communication Problems.
Tickets for the West End production which opens on May 4 are on sale now here.
Cleese said: “What a thrill to be bringing Fawlty Towers to the West End for the first time – nearly 50 years since the show was first recorded, in December 1974. We’ve been involved in the casting process for some time, being constantly reminded of what a wealth of acting talent we have in Britain – sorting the very, very, very good from the merely very, very good. Finally, we assembled a top-class group of comedy actors who will bring the show to the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.
“I’ve adapted three of my favourite episodes for the stage and written one huge finale, which will bring together the endings of all three episodes. So here we are, all the way from Torquay, via the old BBC Television Centre, to the West End! I do hope some of you will come to the Apollo to laugh together. And laugh. And laugh.”
Directed by Monty Python Live and Only Fools and Horses musical’s Caroline Jay Ranger, the official synopsis reads: “Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts to ingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. The situation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his ever vigilant and bossy wife, Sybil.
“Together they run their hotel with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who is the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.”
Fawlty Towers: The Play is performed at the Apollo Theatre in London from May 4 to September 28, 2024 and tickets can be booked here.