Fawlty Towers stage show to premiere in London's West End

London's West End is set to welcome the iconic Fawlty Towers to its prestigious stages as John Cleese, the writer and creator of the beloved 1970s sitcom, brings a stage adaptation to life.

The play, a compilation of material from three classic episodes – The Hotel Inspectors, The Germans, and Communication Problems – is poised to premiere at the Apollo Theatre on May 4.

Expressing his enthusiasm, John Cleese told the BBC, "It's a thrill to bring Fawlty Towers to the West End for the first time." The play, a two-hour production, previously delighted audiences in Australia but makes its West End debut this year.

Set in the fictional Torquay hotel, Fawlty Towers epitomised British comedy with its portrayal of the irritable hotel owner Basil, constantly grappling with demanding guests. For the stage adaptation, Cleese has intricately weaved the storylines of three episodes into a single narrative arc.

Basil, in an attempt to impress hotel inspectors, finds himself in a comedic struggle with a party of Germans and a challenging guest, Mrs. Richards.

"I've adapted three of my favourite episodes for the stage and written one huge finale, which will bring together the endings of all three episodes," Cleese explained to the BBC, inviting audiences to join the laughter at the Apollo.

Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, known for her work on Only Fools and Horses: The Musical and Monty Python Live, the London show boasts a stellar cast. Adam Jackson-Smith takes on the role of Basil Fawlty, with Anna-Jane Casey as his wife Sybil, Hemi Yeroham as waiter Manuel, and Victoria Fox as Polly, the resourceful chambermaid.

While the Australian run in 2016 received praise for solidly weaving the episodes into one story, some critics found the London show lacking the excitement needed to make a compelling case for Fawlty Towers as a play.

Tickets for this highly anticipated West End production go on sale on February 7, promising an evening filled with laughter, chaos, and the timeless humour of Fawlty Towers.