6 – 11 July

Direct from the West End, the critically acclaimed production of JOHN CLEESE’S FAWLTY TOWERS – THE PLAY will visit Bath as part of a UK and Ireland tour.

Visiting Bath from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 July. Audiences can relive the madness of Fawlty Towers live on stage, with sharp wit, chaos and calamity at every turn.

Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts to ingratiate himself with guests that he suspects are there to critique the establishment. The situation is further plagued by a party of Germans, the deaf and dotty guest-from-hell, Mrs Richards, whose infuriating complaints prevent him from hiding a gambling win from his ever vigilant and bossy wife, Sybil. Together they run their hotel with a little help from the unflappable Polly, and very little help at all from Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona who is the butt of Fawlty’s frustration.

Fifty years since Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two in 1975, this new stage play is adapted by comedy legend John Cleese – who originally co-wrote the series with Connie Booth – and is directed by originating West End director Caroline Jay Ranger.

The production stars Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty, Joanne Clifton as Polly and Paul Nicholas reprises his role as The Major. All of whom make a welcome return to the Theatre Royal stage. Danny Bayne last appeared in Saturday Night Fever (2014) and Joanne Clifton’s prior appearance was in The Rocky Horror Show (2019). Paul Nicholas has made numerous appearances which range from Blondel (1983) and most recently to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2022). Mia Austen stars as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham reprises his role as Manuel, and Jemma Churchill plays Mrs Richards.

The play also features other beloved characters from the original TV sitcom: Mr Hutchinson / Wilhelm played by Greg Haiste; Miss Tibbs played by Emily Winter; Miss Gatsby played by Dawn Buckland; Mr Thurston / Günter played by John Hasler; Mr Walt played by Adam Elliott; Taxi Driver/ Mr Firkins / Mr Kerr / Mr Sharp played by Neil Stewart; and Johanna and Liz (Hotel Guest) played by Josie Brightwell. Completing the company are Ashleigh Harvey playing Debbie (Hotel Guest), Ben Jacobson playing Ken (Hotel Guest), Matthew Gordon playing Mr Dale (Hotel Guest) and Raymond Rose playing Philip (Hotel Guest).

Set in a fictional hotel in the seaside town of Torquay, only twelve half hour episodes of the original BBC comedy were ever made. Based on a real-life hotel owner, Donald Sinclair. John Cleese came up with the idea for the character Basil Fawlty when he stayed at Sinclair’s Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay and became fascinated with his incredibly rude behaviour. The iconic TV show won many awards and plaudits including two BAFTAS for Best Situation Comedy and in 2000 it was voted the best British programme of all time in a British Film Institute poll.

FAWLTY TOWERS – THE PLAY appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 July. For tickets visit the Theatre Royal Bath website at theatreroyal.org.uk or contact the Box Office on 01225 448844

Photography credit: Hugo Glendinning

This listing appears on our front page until 11:55pm on Saturday July 11th, 2026