No Fault with this Fawlty – Faulty Towers, The Ultimate Dining Experience

It’s easy to see, looking around the crowd, that the twelve episodes of Fawlty Towers (the BBC television show staring John Cleese) continues to influence generations of viewers.

Upon entering the dining area of Ribgy’s Bar and Bistro we are advised Mr. and Mrs. Fawlty will be arriving at 7:00pm to seat their waiting guests, and from that moment it becomes their restaurant. The laughs begin quickly as Manuel appears clearing half empty glasses from people’s hands as they chase him to get their drinks back. Basil arrives looking flustered as his wife, Sybil, screeches his name before telling him what to do.

The menu is true to the Fawlty style and includes tomato and basil soup and chicken filo wrapped in ham and topped with pineapple. Bread rolls are thrown through the crowd and when a couple complain they didn’t get any bread, a frozen loaf is ceremoniously slapped down on the table.  It is then hacked at by Manuel as he tries to slice it and when asked if he can warm it up, he begins to breathe on the loaf and rub it with his hands!

Michael Davoren does an excellent job as the hen pecked husband, Basil, as he deals with his wife, Manuel and customers complaints with witty sarcasm. His walk, talk and character are truly Basil. Karen Hamilton is instantly recognisable as Cybil with the trade mark hair, bright eye shadow, laugh, and screech: “Basil!” Manuel played by Andy Foreman, steals most of the laughs as he climbs over people, under tables, removes chairs and tries to interpret what Basil and Cybil have asked him to do.

So good are the cast at their characterisations that you believe you are indeed dining at Fawlty Towers. Enabling the audience to play a part proves hysterical when interactions between actor and diner become increasingly ridiculous. Die hard fans of the television show are not disappointed, and know how to complain and look forward to the berating they will receive from Basil.

If it’s an original dining experience filled with fun and laughs you are after, this is your show. I left having had a good laugh, and a wonderful evening. (Don’t forget to mention the war!)

Times:

– 10 dinner performances: 6:30pm for 7:00pm start.

– 3 lunch performances (12, 18, 19 Feb): 12:30pm for 1:00pm start.

Tickets:

– $79 Sun-Thurs 2-hour dinner performance inc. 3-course meal.

– $95 Fri-Sat 2-hour dinner performance inc. 3-course meal.

– $72 2-hour lunch performance inc. 3-course meal.