Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The casting for the UK and Ireland tour of John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play has been announced. Following the successful and critically acclaimed West End run earlier this year, and a three-month summer season this June, “the funniest show in town”, as described by the Daily Express, will embark on a major 10-month tour from September 2025 30 - July 2026. This show - which first opened in May 2024 to a host of rave reviews - is directed by originating West End director Caroline Jay Ranger, and stars Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty, Mia Austen as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham reprising his role as Manuel, Joanne Clifton as Polly, Paul Nicholas reprising his role as The Major and Jemma Churchill as Mrs Richards. Nearly 50 years since Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on September 19, 1975, Comedy legend John Cleese, who originally co-wrote the show with Connie Booth, has chosen three of his favourite original TV episodes for the play. The episodes include ‘The Hotel Inspector’ and ‘The Germans’ from series one and ‘Communication Problems’ from series two. The episodes have been adapted into a two-hour play with a new finale. John Cleese said: “I’m thrilled with the top-class group of comedy actors that we've assembled for the UK tour of Fawlty Towers - The Play which begins in September. September also marks exactly 50 years since the first ever TV episode was broadcast on the BBC. "I never thought that all these years later the stage show would get the reception that it has. But here we are, still making theatres rock with laughter.” 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 of players 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 12 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. The show is coming to Plymouth, Theatre Royal between December 1 and 6. Tickets are on sale now from FawltyTowersTour.co.uk.