In light of the current global pandemic, an evening out with a dollop of classic British comedy is what we need right now to cheer us all up!

Fawlty Towers was a classic British television sitcom written by John Cleese and Connie Booth in the 1970s. It has certainly stood the test of time and is still making people laugh across many generations. The show was ranked first on a list of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes drawn up by the British Film Institute in 2000 and in 2019, it was named the 'greatest ever British TV sitcom'. So, this theatrical experience had plenty to live up to!

Advertised as Faulty Towers - The Original Dining Experience, it is staged and performed in the main restaurant at the Radisson Blu Edwardian in the heart of London. This interactive comedy features the three iconic characters – Basil (Dan Wood), Sybil (Kat Mary) and their hilarious Spanish waiter, Manuel (Simon Grujich).

The evening begins as soon as you arrive at the door. Sybil (who, as expected, is behind the reception desk on the phone) greets you and directs your party to the assigned table. The excitement starts from the get-go with Basil and Manuel running around the restaurant causing mayhem, or shall we say, organised chaos! This introduction is the first of many misunderstandings between Basil and Manuel, which is the continuing theme of the evening. Once everyone has arrived, the doors are closed and the REAL fun begins! A word of warning, woe betide any audience member who has a direct link with Germany!

The clever weaving of sketches from the original show and plenty of ad-libbing thrown in for good measure created the perfect balance, alongside the constraints of social distancing, which provided an extra shot of comedy that we can all relate to!

The actors are excellent with their portrayals and mimic the demeanour and characteristics of the original cast with great precision. Interacting with the characters is part of the fun and you certainly can't be shy coming to this event!

Faulty Towers - The Original Dining Experience was incredibly enjoyable and comes highly recommended if you are looking for something a little different. Included with the ticket is a three-course meal followed by coffee or tea. What could be more British than an evening out with a cup of tea and Faulty Towers?

Take it from me, there was certainly nothing “faulty” with this theatrical-dining experience!

***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: Ryan Bishop