Review | Fawlty Towers | Manchester Opera House | 04 November 2025

There can sometimes be nothing funnier than the quirks in the world around us. When John Cleese stayed at Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay whilst filming with Monty Python, he discovered just that. Taking inspiration from those he met, Fawlty Towers was born. With just 12 episodes made, audiences have long been wanting more. Now, fifty years after the TV show debuted, Cleese has adapted his classic show for the stage as it tours the country.

With something as beloved as Fawlty Towers, trying to create something new can be a recipe for disaster. Here, they have avoided that and played into nostalgia by amalgamating three classic episodes to create one piece. On paper, this should be a guaranteed success; however, in practice, it didn’t completely pay off.

The cast themselves are superb, bringing the classic characters to life. Rather than risking new interpretations, they stay loyal to the television versions. From the moment Mia Austen gives one of  Sybil’s infamous cackles in the opening moments, you know you are in safe hands. Danny Bayne brings Basil to life perfectly, fully encompassing the chaotic hotelier in his every facial expression and tone. His scenes with Hemi Yeroham (Manuel) and Dawn Buckland (Miss Gatsby) provide the standout moments, with perfect comic timing through moments of misunderstanding, frustration, and confusion.

Liz Ascroft’s static split-level stage design transports us to the infamous Torquay hotel. Authentically dressed in 1970’s style, the audience can simultaneously see the reception area, dining room, and a bedroom. This dollhouse-inspired design means there are no clunky scene changes, which helps keep things moving along as best they can. Although without the quick camera work afforded for the TV show, scenes don’t always feel as snappy on stage and at times the show can drag a little whilst trying to find its rhythm.

Ultimately there’s a fundamental problem the production never quite solves; the majority of the audience know the punchlines already. When the joke is anticipated rather than landed, the air goes out of the room, particularly for newer audiences who may feel excluded from the humour. The stitching together of episodes doesn’t create a strong enough narrative for the show to stand on its own feet as a standalone play. So whilst it provides a fun night out with a hug of nostalgia, it doesn’t give you anything more than the original.

Fawlty Towers plays at Manchester Opera House until Saturday, 8 November 2025.

Click here for booking info

Note: My ticket was gifted in exchange for a review. This review is based on my honest opinion alone and is without influence.