Producers: Interactive Theatre International
Normally when you go out for dinner the last thing you want is bad service and a pet rat running around the kitchen, but at Faulty Towers The Dining Experience it’s all part of giving you a hilariously fun evening with Basil, Sybil and Manuel – unofficially paying homage to the 1970s classic British comedy, Fawlty Towers.
Guests begin their night in the hotel bar waiting to be seated in the restaurant by grumpy hotel owner Basil (Rob Langston) using his wife Sybil’s (Karina Garnett) carefully curated seating plan. Keeping everyone entertained is waiter, Manuel (Ben Hood) as he rushes around the guests grabbing their spectacles as part of his orders from his boss to collect the glasses. It’s a fun way to start the night and the improvisation with guest names and seating arrangements is cleverly done.
As part of this immersive theatre experience, the meals are served in between re-enactments of classic scenes, with the characters checking in on each table periodically and humorously interacting with each guest. All of the actors are extremely quick-witted, with hysterical comebacks no matter what they get presented with. While at points, you may have to crane your neck to see what’s happening, the performers do a great job of fluidly moving between sections to ensure that everyone gets to experience the show as much as possible.
Hood is an absolutely fantastic Manuel – like being in the room with Andrew Sachs himself. His perplexed expressions, over exaggerated mannerisms and Catalonian accent is so spot on that it feels as if you’re starring in your very own episode. Langston plays a perfect Basil, turning his nose up at underdressed guests and passing judgement on eating habits. He has his impersonations of John Cleese down to a tee, truly embodying the character, while still adding his own comedic flair. Garnett is perfectly groomed and floats around the dining room checking in on guests and trying her best to calm the chaos. Like Sybil, she plays a host that’s surprisingly good in her manic surroundings, welcoming and witty – she does Prunella Scales proud.
The meals are surprisingly hearty, with huge portions being dished up at each course. The starter is a delicious broccoli soup and bread roll, that is, if you manage to catch one thrown at you by Manuel. The main is half of a (very large) chicken, roast potatoes, with a vegetable medley – which although a mammoth sized portion, could have done with a bit more flavour and seasoning to make it a dish to remember. Finally, you’re served a decadently rich chocolate cheesecake, drizzled with a forest berry sauce. While the soup is by far the best course, each course is enjoyable and there will definitely be no issues with remaining hungry after the show!
Whether you’re a fan of the original show or not, it’s an almost fawltless night out. The puns and ridiculous humour will have you in stitches, so even if you don’t recognise some of the iconic sketches or references, they’ll still have you belly laughing from beginning to end.
Runs until December 2022
