Following the vastly profitable and critically acclaimed West End run earlier this 12 months and a return three-month summer season season this June, “the funniest show in town” (Daily Express) may have its Scottish premiere on the King’s Theatre, Glasgow as a part of a serious 10-month tour throughout 2025 and 2026.
This “as good as comedy gets” manufacturing (Sunday Times) – which first opened in May 2024 to a bunch of rave critiques – is directed by originating West End director Caroline Jay Ranger, and stars Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty, Mia Austen as Sybil, Strictly star Joanne Clifton as Polly, Hemi Yeroham reprising his function as Manuel, Paul Nicholas reprising his function as The Major and Jemma Churchill as Mrs Richards.
Nearly 50 years since Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on 19 September 1975, comedy legend John Cleese, who initially co-wrote the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times) with Connie Booth, has chosen three of his favorite authentic TV episodes – ‘The Hotel Inspector’ and ‘The Germans’ from collection one and ‘Communication Problems’ from collection two – and tailored them right into a two-hour play, full with a brand new finale.
Theatre goers throughout the nation are in for a deal with as this “comedy masterpiece makes a seamless transition to the stage” (The Arts Desk) to ship “an indisputably funny evening” (Daily Telegraph), as “from the moment Basil walks on stage, the audience start laughing” (Daily Mail) while watching “some of the best punchlines ever written” (London Theatre).
John Cleese stated: “I’m thrilled with the top-class group of comedy actors that we’ve assembled for the UK tour of Fawlty Towers – The Play which begins in September. September also marks exactly 50 years since the first ever TV episode was broadcast on the BBC. I never thought that all these years later the stage show would get the reception that it has. But here we are, still making theatres rock with laughter.”
The play additionally options different beloved characters from the unique TV sitcom: Mr Hutchinson / Wilhelm performed by Greg Haiste; Miss Tibbs performed by Emily Winter; Miss Gatsby performed by Dawn Buckland; Mr Thurston / Günter performed by John Hasler; Mr Walt performed by Adam Elliott; Taxi Driver/ Mr Firkins / Mr Kerr / Mr Sharp performed by Neil Stewart; and Johanna and Liz (Hotel Guest) performed by Josie Brightwell. Completing the corporate of gamers are Ashleigh Harvey taking part in Debbie (Hotel Guest), Ben Jacobson taking part in Ken (Hotel Guest), Matthew Gordon taking part in Mr Dale (Hotel Guest) and Raymond Rose taking part in Philip (Hotel Guest).
Following a tip off that lodge inspectors could also be visiting and desirous to impress, Basil makes an attempt to ingratiate himself with visitors that he suspects are there to critique the institution. The state of affairs is additional suffering from a celebration of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints forestall him from hiding a playing win from his ever vigilant and bossy spouse, Sybil. Together they run their lodge with a bit assist from the unflappable Polly, and little or no assist in any respect from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who’s the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.
Set in a fictional lodge within the seaside city of Torquay, solely 12 half hour episodes of the unique BBC comedy had been ever made. Based on a real-life lodge proprietor, Donald Sinclair. John Cleese got here up with the concept for the character Basil Fawlty when he stayed at Sinclair’s Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay and have become fascinated along with his extremely impolite behaviour.
The iconic TV present gained many awards and plaudits together with two BAFTAS for Best Situation Comedy and in 2000 it was voted one of the best British programme of all time in a British Film Institute ballot.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
King’s Theatre, Glasgow
Tue 13 – Sat 17 January 2026
Tuesday – Saturday: 7:30pm
Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday: 2:30pm
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