⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Major hit!
There’s always a slight worry when a much-loved classic gets a stage revamp… especially something as iconic as Fawlty Towers.
But I didn’t need to worry. This felt like stepping straight into the chaos of Torquay – just bigger, louder, and somehow even more fun.
Adapted for the stage by John Cleese and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, the show keeps everything that made the original so loved, while giving it a fresh burst of energy that works brilliantly in a live theatre setting.
From the moment Basil (Danny Bayne) appears, the giggles start. That frantic, slightly unhinged energy is completely there, and it carries the whole performance. The humour leans into that wonderfully old-fashioned slapstick style – items falling off walls, misunderstandings piling up, everything teetering on the edge of disaster.
And even when you’re not laughing (which isn’t often), you’re watching the sheer cleverness of it all unfold. The way scenes build – from the “fire drill” chaos to the layers of miscommunication between guests – is so tightly put together, it’s like watching a perfectly timed domino effect of comedy.
The cast strike a really lovely balance too. They’re not exact impersonations, but they’re close enough that you instantly recognise and fall back in love with the characters.
Paul Nicholas as the Major is a joy, delivering those wonderfully muddled lines with perfect timing, while Joanne Clifton brings a warm, witty Polly to the stage – with a brilliant moment speaking fluent Spanish that catches everyone off guard. And Mia Austen as Sybil is just fantastic, perfectly exasperated and quick with the one-liners that keep Basil’s antics in check.
A huge part of what makes this production work so well is the staging. It’s incredibly detailed and so cleverly designed – every corner of the hotel feels purposeful, adding to the chaos as it unfolds. Massive kudos to Liz Ascroft for creating a space that feels both authentic and perfectly built for comedy. The costumes too are spot on, instantly transporting you back into that world.
This doesn’t feel like a pale imitation. It feels vivid, full of life, and packed with those moments audiences already adore – the kind that have people laughing one minute and applauding the next, not just because it’s funny, but because it’s so fondly remembered.
If you’re after a theatre trip that’s easy, nostalgic, and filled with proper laugh-out-loud moments, this is a joy. The kind of show where you leave still smiling… and already quoting your favourite bits on the way home.
You can catch the show at The Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 21 March. Book tickets here; https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/fawlty-towers-the-play/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/