Review: Faulty Towers The Dining Experience at President Hotel
‘British humour at its most outrageous’ ★★★★★
Celebrating its 13th year in London, Faulty Towers immersive dining experience isn’t just for fans of the BBC series (Fawlty Towers) which sparked this spin off. It’s a hit with people who have never seen the original TV comedy, and tourists who are keen to see a bit of British humour at its most outrageous. Part of the success of this interactive show, is that it’s a hugely enjoyable two hours of entertainment like no other. With just three actors and a team of real waiters serving three courses, the whole event is a feat of organisation. The action starts in the bar and has everyone laughing, even before they are shown to the tables in the restaurant.
The actors are master of physical theatre and have the mannerisms of the originals down to perfection. They might not be the spitting image of the original cast (John Cleese, Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs) but they have the appearance, Basil is tall and thin, Manuel is tiny but wiry and Sybil is matronly in her boxy suit with a permed head of hair (an obvious wig which just shouts judge). There’s a wonderful pecking order which allows much of the comedy.
Hotelier Basil has pretentions way above his actual status, battling away to bring standards ever upwards. His ambitions are constantly undermined by Spanish waiter Manuel whose rudimentary English results in plenty of misunderstandings. Added to this, his level-headed wife Sybil, keeps catching him out whenever he is being devious, which puts Basil on high alert for the entire show. It all makes Basil a flawed but also a lovable human being (although possibly not one that we would care to meet in real life as his hyperactivity is easily provoked).
There’s also a sense in which the characters are recognisable. Perhaps we see elements of ourselves in them, and certainly in those around us, giving us plenty of belly laughs. With so many highlights in the show, it’s only possible to give a taste of what to expect. The kind of jokes that issue includes the scene when Manuel stands on one of the dining tables and attempts to entertain the diners, until Basil enters. An astonished Basil shouts at him to explain himself. “You say wait on table” says Manuel quite reasonably. So, you may imagine what happens when Basil instructs him to collect the glasses, or to give her the butter. “Qué?” says Manuel. “Butt-her” enunciates Basil, and the ever game Manuel makes horns with his hands and prepares to … Basil stops him just in time.
Some of the tropes are from the original television series and include such memorable storylines as Basil putting money on a horse. He gives the money to Manuel, and of course, it’s a secret from Sybil, but she finds out by the end of the evening, much to Basil’s humiliation and fury. Another secret of the show’s success is that audiences are more than willing to go along with everything. It helps that the actors are extremely respectful, clearly practised, with no rushed movements. Don’t put your elbows on the table, because Basil comes along and with great care, takes hold of your elbow and lifts them off the table. He admonishes you at the same time and no one could take offence at that. But beware of the teeth in your soup.
The script is clever and amusing but the suspicion is that there is an element of improvisation. The show was originally devised by Alison Pollard-Mansergh, Andrew Foreman and others. It has been touring the UK and internationally since 2008, having appeared in 43 countries to date. It’s a remarkable innings, and long may it continue to entertain audiences with its highly original concept, which might be a nod to the ancient tradition of Commedia dell'arte.
The food also deserves a mention, with a simple menu of ‘favourites’ and a vegetarian alternative, the choice, although limited, tasted delicious.
Photo credit: Rosi E Powell
FAULTY TOWERS
The Dining Experience
President Hotel
56-60 Guilford Street
London, WC1N 1DB
Please note: Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is a loving tribute to Fawlty Towers. Faulty Towers The Dining Experience uses scripts and a dining experience format devised by Imagination Workshop Pty Limited and is not endorsed in any way by John Cleese or Connie Booth.
