Presented by Interactive Theatre International
Reviewed 13 February 2016
If you pay peanuts you’ll get monkeys, but if a buffoon is in charge anyway, all hell is sure to break loose.
Anyone who knows the 1970s British TV series Fawlty Towers will know what to expect as the classic BBC comedy comes to life with bumbling hotel owner Basil Fawlty (Jordan Edmeades), his “dragon” wife Sybil (Donna Gray), and hapless waiter Manuel (Andy Foreman) whose English is so poor that he often messes up in the most outrageous way possible.
Faulty Towers has been an Adelaide Fringe staple for years and continues to dish out the laughs over a 3-course lunch or dinner. The basic framework of events doesn’t change each year but the interactive nature of the show and changing cast ensure each sitting is a unique experience.
It begins in the hotel bar where punters are invited to have a drink while waiting for Basil & Co to seat everyone. The comedy begins immediately as Manuel fails to follow instructions and Basil proceeds to insult most of the guests before they’re even seated. From there it’s all down hill with false teeth in soup, thrown bread rolls, a rat on the loose and countless other disasters. The number of jokes from the original series that make a comeback will please any aficionado and delight anyone new to these enduring and endearing characters.
The actors themselves are stellar. They know their characters inside out and freely ad lib for most of the show. You’d almost believe they’re the real deal. Add to that the satisfying food and hospitality of the Ambassadors Hotel and there’s nothing to dislike about this 2-hour dinner from Hell.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating (out of 5): 5
Venue: Ambassadors Hotel, 107 King William Street, Adelaide
Season: 13 February – 13 March 2016
Duration: 2 hours
Tickets: $79 – $99, includes the show and a 3-course meal
Bookings: Book through FringeTix online or at a FringeTix box office (booking fees apply)
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