John Cleese

heatregoers across the country are in for a treat as this “comedy masterpiece makes aseamless transition to the stage” (The Arts Desk) to deliver “an indisputably funny evening”(Daily Telegraph), as “from the moment Basil walks on stage, the audience start laughing” (DailyMail) whilst watching “some of the best punchlines ever written” (London Theatre). To quoteBroadway World; “if you loved the original TV series, you will adore this show”.The play also features other beloved characters from the original TV sitcom: Mr Hutchinson /Wilhelm played by Greg Haiste; Miss Tibbs played by Emily Winter; Miss Gatsby played by DawnBuckland; Mr Thurston / Günter played by John Hasler; Mr Walt played by Adam Elliott; TaxiDriver/ Mr Firkins / Mr Kerr / Mr Sharp played by Neil Stewart; and Johanna and Liz (HotelGuest) played by Josie Brightwell. Completing the company are Ashleigh Harvey playing Debbie(Hotel Guest), Ben Jacobson playing Ken (Hotel Guest), Matthew Gordon playing Mr Dale (HotelGuest) and Raymond Rose playing Philip (Hotel Guest).Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts toingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. Thesituation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, MrsRichards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his evervigilant and bossy wife, Sybil. Together they run their hotel with a little help from theunflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona whois the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.Set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay, only 12 half hour episodes of the originalBBC comedy were ever made. Based on a real-life hotel owner, Donald Sinclair. John Cleesecame up with the idea for the character Basil Fawlty when he stayed at Sinclair’s GleneaglesHotel in Torquay and became fascinated with his incredibly rude behaviour.The iconic TV show won many awards and plaudits including two BAFTAS for Best SituationComedy and in 2000 it was voted the best British programme of all time in a British Film Institutepoll.