Fawlty Towers the Play – Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

Writers: John Cleese and Connie Booth

Adapter: John Cleese

Director: Caroline Jay Ranger

This week at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre, audiences can check in for a stay at Fawlty Towers to meet their eccentric staff and guests and most certainly have a laugh or two. John Cleese has adapted his and Connie Booth’s hit TV show for the stage, bringing together the ‘best bits’ into one coherent two act narrative. Unlike some other screen to stage adaptations, Fawlty Towers doesn’t particularly offer anything different to the TV show – there are no musical numbers or different plotlines – but it is still an entertaining evening out for fans of the TV show and newcomers alike.

Liz Ascroft’s set design is fairly simple, consisting of the dining room, reception and one bedroom upstairs, but effectively captures the visuals of the TV show and the claustrophobia of the small hotel. Ascroft’s costumes also bring to life the look of the TV show well and the eccentricity of the characters.

Director Caroline Jay Ranger keeps the show moving at a good pace, ensuring every laugh lands. She leads her cast in capturing the iconic characters from the TV show whilst also ensuring they feel like real people with real relationships, despite their eccentricity.

The star of the show is certainly Danny Bayne is delivers an outstanding performance as Basil Fawlty. His comic timing is impeccable, landing the punchlines perfectly. He also excels in the physical comedy associated with the role. He is perfectly over the top, whilst never crossing the line too far – we entirely believe his performance and fall in love with the character instantly.

Understudy Emily Winter is a delight opposite Bayne as Sybil Fawlty. Winter and Bayne have an incredibly believable relationship on stage – a married couple who have their tensions but really love each other, even if they frustrate each other. Hemi Yeroham is riotously funny as Manuel whilst Joanne Clifton is lovely and warm as Polly Sherman, creating a great comedic duo with Bayne.

The supporting cast also boasts tremendous comedic talent. Jemma Churchill is perfect in her characterisation of Mrs Richards, the woman who refuses to acknowledge she’s getting older and really needs her hearing aid. Greg Haiste performs the infamous hotel inspector dining room perfectly as Mr Hutchinson, whilst understudy Ben Jacobson as Mr Walt builds a great rapport with Bayne, giving Basil a friend to confide in.

Fawlty Towers wasn’t a TV show calling out to be adapted for the stage but regardless, it is packed full of laughs and you are bound to leave with a smile on your face.