EDINBURGH 2018: Review: FAULTY TOWERS THE DINING EXPERIENCE, The Principal
Arguably the greatest British sitcom of all time, Fawlty Towers is an audience favourite more than 40 years since its first airing. In this loving tribute to the hapless hotelier Basil Fawlty, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is a verified hit for fans of the comedy classic.
Much to the inconvenience of host Basil Fawlty, Edinburgh's Principal Hotel opens its doors to recreate the carnage that is so familiar to fans of the sitcom.
Set around a wonderful three-course meal, the experience intertwines some of the best of John Cleese and Connie Booth's scripts with innumerable disasters that are carefully orchestrated to keep their audience laughing from start to finish.
From false teeth in the soup to a rogue rat, there is no end to the pandemonium in this two-hour show. Though the production is perfect for those who are familiar with the English riviera sitcom, the piece can easily be enjoyed by those who are not.
Rebecca Norris's Sybil is a masterpiece of impersonation, and her relationship with husband Basil (David Tremaine) captures the spirit of the original series perfectly.
Phillip Oakland encapsulates the physicality of Manuel, the waiter, like few others could and his solo performances within the experience are particularly tickling.
The only criticism that can be fairly levelled at this production is its scale. Some more subtle jokes are lost in the vastness of the venue and the cast would have more time to mingle with tables on a smaller scale, leaving guests with a more intimate experience for their money.
Nevertheless, Interactive Theatre International have created an immensely entertaining experience that is a must-see for anyone who has remotely enjoyed the TV show.
As experiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe go, a three-course meal in the company of some real icons from TV land is hard to beat. It's well worth seeing why this 11-year-running sell-out show is so popular!
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience at The Principal until 27 August
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