Seeing Fawlty Towers brought to life on stage at the Leeds Grand Theatre was an absolute joy. John Cleese has taken three of the iconic 1970s sitcom episodes and cleverly intertwined them to create an excellent stage adaptation that captures the spirit and chaos of the original series.

For anyone unfamiliar with the original 12 television episodes, the plot might feel a little strange or hard to follow at times. However, judging by the reaction in Leeds, this was not an issue as the audience were clearly avid fans. There was a real sense of excitement in seeing these infamous characters step out from the screen and onto the stage.

The set design was particularly impressive, perfectly mirroring the hotel we all know and remember. A clever touch was the permanently visible upstairs bedroom, which added to the comedy and allowed for seamless transitions between scenes. The scene changes themselves were slick and fast-paced, with doors constantly opening and closing as characters entered and exited the hotel, adding to the sense of total mayhem.

The characters looked and sounded remarkably like the original cast. Sybil’s piercing laugh, Manuel’s endless misunderstandings, and Basil’s explosive outbursts were all present and correct. The production was fast-paced throughout, with laugh-out-loud moments from start to finish. Hemi Yeroham’s Manuel was a standout, repeatedly bringing the house down, especially with his iconic line, “I know nothing,” delivered with impeccable comic timing. Danny Bayne was a genius as Basil Fawlty, capturing the character so perfectly that he felt instantly familiar.

Mia Austin’s Sybil was equally strong, staying true to the original TV character, with her unforgettable laugh triggering waves of nostalgia. Overall, this was a strong cast and a hugely entertaining production. It really is a must-see for fans of the classic sitcom and a brilliant celebration of one of British comedy’s most well-loved shows.

Fawlty Towers: The Play is on at the Leeds Grand on until 10 January. More information here
It then tours to Bradford, York, Hull, Newcastle and Sunderland during the next few months. More information here.