REVIEW: Fawlty Towers at Sunderland Empire

Fawlty Towers The Play

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 7 February 2026

 

The Smash Hit West End play of the television classic has been adapted for the stage by original creator John Cleese.

 

Don’t mention the stage version! Fawlty Towers The Play proves nostalgia is a dish the brits can’t get enough of. There is nothing new here. This is a show that does exactly what it says on the menu but whilst the guests of Fawlty Towers might get their dishes served wrong, the audience get exactly what they were looking for with this big stage adaptation.

 

The live version treats its eagerly awaiting audience to some of the shows most iconic moments from episodes ‘The Hotel Inspectors’, ‘The Germans’ and ‘Basil the Rat’, so iconic are these episodes of one of Britain's most loved sitcoms you can hear the anticipation of laughter before it actually comes.

The cast here have it nailed to perfection. Why mess with something that is so beloved, even after 50 years. They give you immaculate impressions of the shows characters with impeccable accuracy. From Sybil’s (Mia Austen) iconic chuckle opening the show to Basil Fawlty’s (Danny Bayne) erratic physicality the characters are established instantly as the ones we know and love from the television. So much so that at times it feels like we are a live studio audience watching the sitcom being filmed added to by the big imposing studio style lights that dominate over the set and the musical interludes familiar with a change of scene or a passing of time. It’s no surprise that this really is an ensemble piece and every bit of the jigsaw is there and fits perfectly. Hemi Yeroham’s Manuel, Joanne Clifton’s Polly, Emily Winter’s Miss Tibbs, Dawn Buckland’s Miss Gatsby all add to the 17 string cast making this feel like a full and chaotic hotel. The casting feels authentic, they’re all there because they can play the roles accurately and haven’t been cast just for star power to sell tickets.

 

It was my opinion that the pacing in act one was a little lacking as it seemed to set up all of the plot points of the show but perhaps I’m looking at it from a traditional stage show point of view and it was certainly not short of laughs from the packed out audience. The show really comes into its own in act two with the pace picking up at break neck speed and the chaos really takes hold culminating in a farcical finale to the show.

The set and costume must get a mention here as they two are lovingly and accurately recreated.

 

This is a love letter to the original version and I don’t think it offers anything new putting it on stage, that said I don’t think anyone wanted it tampered with and the audience left the theatre chuckling and quoting iconic lines. I think I’d have liked it adapted more for the stage, lending itself to a traditional stage farce with constant swinging doors and more pace in act one, better use of the set and perhaps something new for the fans, much akin to the stage adaptation of Inside No. 9 where we were treated to an episode of the show but with new elements and leading into all new content but I think I’m probably in the minority, certainly in this audience which lapped up every joke, every second of the chaos and left feeling truly satisfied.

Fawlty Towers The Play served up a slice of nostalgia and for the two hours we were in the theatre the audience were transported back in time to the glory days of one of Britain's most loved sitcoms that still has its audience roaring with laughter.

 

Review: Stephen Sullivan

Photos: Hugo Glendinning

Tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/fawlty-towers-the-play/sunderland-empire/