Presented by: Michael Coppel & Phil McIntyre in Association with Louise Withers
Reviewed: 27 October 2016
Written by John Cleese and Connie Booth, Fawlty Towers has become a beloved TV comedy classic. This is remarkable given it only ran for 12 episodes. Such was the quality of the writing that it has endured for decades and continues generating legions of new fans. What made it a success were the characters. Hotel owner Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil, general helper Polly and hapless Spanish waiter Manuel have become part of everyday comedy. How they dealt with each other and the often eccentric guests they encountered added to the enjoyment factor and knowing nods to people we may meet in real life.
The series has spawned several spin-offs with the most notable being the Fawlty Towers Dining Experience which has travelled world-wide with its own brand of culinary mayhem. Noting its success, Cleese has adapted his TV series for the stage. It seems a natural for the theatre, with the larger than life personas and situations almost mirroring the old vaudeville antics theatre spawned from.
Using a stage set with the reception, dining and bedroom areas looking as they were in the TV series, Fawlty Towers Live is like watching the show on stage. Primarily a ‘greatest hits’ package of its famed moments, the situations the characters go through may seem familiar. Making it fresh is the dynamic energy of the cast, who give it their all. Stephen Hall as Basil is like watching Cleese himself performing on stage with his manic mannerisms conveyed with perfection. Blazey Best, Syd Brisbane and Aimee Horne as Polly, are almost like reincarnations of the original performers, such is their likeness and acting abilities.
They are well matched by a sterling cast who delight in the crackling dialogue and outlandish incidents. There’s nothing better than seeing them enjoy portraying such bizarre people who are almost a microcosm of the weirdness of everyday society. Whilst Fawlty Towers was hardly a social commentary, it had enough to ensure it could be enjoyed by generations due to its easily relatable characters – although hopefully we aren’t as strange as some of them!
Interestingly for a contemporary show, Fawlty Towers Live is steeped in retro glory. Befitting a show made in the 1970’s, the décor, fashion and general feel reflects the time in which it was created. This is a smart idea as there isn’t any contrived pandering to modern sensibilities with any unnecessary updating discarded. Fawlty Towers Live is confident of its classic material and runs with it, right down to keeping the Britishness of the language and personalities.
Caroline Jay Ranger’s direction ensures reasonably smooth pacing with the sight gags and humour developing in equal measures. Despite a first act somewhat dragging and a second act almost over before it begins, Ranger keeps the furious rhythm going until the final chaotic climax.
The measure of success of a comedic stage show is how much audience laughter is heard, of which there were many. The audience was mixed in age range who appreciated the level of professionalism in making the comedy look effortless. Timing is everything in conjuring humour with the cast perfectly pitching the laughs and character driven moments. As in the best tradition of English pantomime, the audience quickly became immersed in the silly carry-on with much cheering and clapping enough to raise the roof of Her Majesty’s Theatre. Coming out at the end to wish John Cleese a happy 77th birthday, which was on the evening of the opening night performance’, all joined in a raucous rendition of Happy Birthday to the man who made watching the theatrical experience possible.
Fawlty Towers Live is as much fun as anyone would expect. If you’ve seen the television show then you know what will happen, but that’s a good thing as the quality of the stage presentation is first rate. It ensures the material feels fresh in spite of its familiarity and all concerned should be applauded for their efforts. With Australia being the first country in the world to see this stage version, its successful transplantation from small screen to stage should see it travel the world – as long as everyone remembers to never mention the war.
Reviewed by: Patrick Moore
Twitter: @PatrickMoore14
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: 26 October -13 November 2016
Duration: 2 hrs.
Tickets: Premium – $97.00, A Reserve – $87.00, A Reserve: Groups 10+ (per tkt) – $77.00, B Reserve – $72.00, C Reserve (restricted view) – $62.00
Bookings: Book online at C or phone BASS on 131 246
http://fawltytowerslive.com.au/
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