If you ask people what is the funniest comedy of all time, you could take a safe bet that many of them would say Fawlty Towers. The classic 1970’s comedy consisted of just 12 episodes, but every one was a hilariously perfect piece of television, beloved and revered in equal measures. Now it has been turned into a play that is just as perfect as those episodes, hilarious, chaotic brilliance. Last night it had its press night at the Wolverhampton Grand, and the theatre totally rocked with laughter. It is an absolute, unmissable hoot.

All the characters you know and love from the series are there, including supporting roles like the major, and the old ladies. The show is a series of key, beloved scenes from across the episodes that are moulded together into two hysterical acts. We have the Germans, Basil the Rat, the fire drill, ‘I know nothing’, The Major and his gun and the very deaf Mrs Richards. Each scene is lovingly recreated, with perfect comic timing by the whole cast. I absolutely loved it, and judging from the roars of laughter coming from the man next to me, I was not on my own in this admiration.

The cast is just perfect. Danny Bayne is Basil/John Cleese, his physical comedy which includes squats, bends and goosesteps is manically brilliant, and he captures Basil’s sarcasm wonderfully. Mia Austin is also uncanny as Sybil, from that first irresistible laugh I was captivated. Hemi Veroham is also perfect as poor Manuel, he is surely one of the greatest comic creations of all time and Hemi totally does justice to the role Andrew Sachs made unforgettable. Joanne Clifton continues to show her talent for comedy as Polly, the one person who keeps her head in all the mayhem that surrounds her.

The supporting actors are wonderful too, with special mentions needed for Neil Stewart as the gloriously muddled Major, and Jemma Churchill as  batty Mrs Richards, involved in some of the funniest scenes with Basil.

If you loved Fawlty Towers during the 1970’s, you are about to love it all over again. If you are new to it, welcome to your new comedy obsession. This is unashamedly, hilariously brilliant, comedy theatre at its very best.

Fawlty Towers – The Play

11 Feb–21 Feb 2026

Click here to visit Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

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