Bringing one of Britain’s most beloved sitcoms to the stage is a risky business, but Fawlty Towers: The Play rises to the challenge with confidence, affection and relentless comic energy during its Aberdeen run at the Music Hall from Tuesday 20th- Saturday 24th January. Carefully adapted from classic television episodes, the production captures the spirit of the original while thriving in a live theatre setting.
At the centre of the mayhem is Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty, delivering a performance fuelled by tightly wound nerves and explosive physical comedy. Bayne doesn’t simply imitate John Cleese; instead, he finds his own rhythm within Basil’s familiar rage, panic and misplaced pride, sustaining the character’s manic momentum throughout.
Mia Austen’s Sybil Fawlty is a commanding presence, cutting through the chaos with icy precision. Her sharp delivery and effortless authority make Sybil both formidable and hilarious, providing a perfect counterbalance to Basil’s constant unraveling.
As the endlessly confused waiter, Hemi Yeroham’s Manuel is a consistent crowd-pleaser. His physicality and innocent timing generate some of the loudest laughs of the night, with misunderstandings escalating beautifully into full-blown farce.
Joanne Clifton brings warmth and calm as Polly, grounding the production with an assured performance that anchors the more frantic characters. Polly’s practicality and dry humour offer moments of relief amid the chaos, and Clifton plays the role with charm and confidence.
Neil Stewart as The Major adds a gentle absurdity to the ensemble. His wandering anecdotes and foggy recollections are delivered with an understated charm that contrasts effectively with Basil’s high-strung temperament.
Meanwhile, Jemma Churchill’s Mrs Richards is gloriously infuriating. Her stubborn refusal to hear sense – literally and figuratively – sends Basil spiralling, and Churchill’s comic timing ensures these scenes land with maximum impact.
The Ensemble cast deserves special praise, seamlessly shifting between hotel guests, staff and assorted visitors. Their Sharp Timing expressive reactions and collective commitment to the farce elevate the production, filling the stage with constant movement and perfectly choreographed confusion.
Liz Ashcroft’s set design immediately places the audience inside the dilapidated charm of the Fawlty Towers hotel. With its multiple levels, doorways and familiar lobby layout, the space becomes an essential part of the comedy, enabling swift entrances, exits and escalating confusion.
Lighting supports the fast pace of the action, subtly guiding the audience through rapid scene changes without interrupting the flow. It enhances the sense of movement and tension as situations spiral out of control.
Costumes remain faithful to the world fans expect: Basil’s stiff suits, Sybil’s no-nonsense attire and Manuel’s waiter’s uniform all help reinforce character identities while translating seamlessly to the stage.
Rather than reinventing a classic, Fawlty Towers: The Play embraces what audiences love most – sharp writing, exaggerated personalities and meticulously timed chaos. It is unapologetically theatrical, laugh-out-loud funny, and clearly crafted with respect for its source material.
For longtime fans, it’s a joyful reunion with familiar characters; for newcomers, it’s a masterclass in British farce.
A lively, polished and consistently entertaining production that proves Fawlty Towers still has plenty of life beyond the television screen.
Fawlty Towers is running at the Music Hall from the 20-24 January. Get your tickets here – https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/fawlty-towers/
Theatre Scotland 
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