Fawlty Towers – The Play Checks In for a Major UK and Ireland Tour

Fawlty Towers – The Play Checks In for a Major UK and Ireland Tour

20-10-25

Pack your suitcases and your sarcasm. The legendary Torquay hotel is reopening its doors nationwide as John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play sets off on a major 10-month UK and Ireland tour from 30 September 2025 to 25 July 2026, direct from two sold-out, critically acclaimed West End seasons.

This brand-new stage adaptation, written by John Cleese from his original BBC scripts co-created with Connie Booth, combines three classic episodes — The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems — plus a brand-new finale written for the stage. It’s a pitch-perfect revival of British comedy history that has been described as “the funniest show in town” (Daily Express) and “as good as comedy gets” (Sunday Times).

Heading the tour is Danny Bayne as the ever-tense Basil Fawlty, joined by Mia Austen as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham returning as Manuel, Paul Nicholas reprising his role as The Major, and Jemma Churchill as the unforgettably difficult Mrs Richards.

 

Matinee Musicals fans will also be delighted to see two musical theatre favourites taking on iconic comedy roles. Joanne Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing, The Addams Family, Flashdance) stars as Polly, bringing her musical timing and warmth to the quick-thinking waitress, while Paul Nicholas, one of the West End’s most beloved leading men (Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Grease), continues to prove his comic genius as The Major.

It’s a crossover casting dream for musical theatre fans — stars who know their way around a punchline and a showstopper.

Fawlty Towers first aired in 1975 and remains one of Britain’s most celebrated sitcoms. Cleese’s manic creation of Basil Fawlty was inspired by a real Torquay hotelier, Donald Sinclair, whose legendary rudeness became TV gold. The series went on to win BAFTAs and, in 2000, was voted the best British programme of all time by the British Film Institute.

On stage, the show’s farcical precision translates beautifully. Under the direction of Caroline Jay Ranger, the play captures all the chaos and charm of the original, complete with slamming doors, misheard orders, and Manuel’s eternal confusion.

Fawlty Towers – The Play 2025/26 UK & Ireland Tour

2025
30 Sept–4 Oct – Bromley, Churchill Theatre
7–11 Oct – Eastbourne, Congress Theatre
14–18 Oct – Bournemouth Pavilion
21–25 Oct – New Wimbledon Theatre
28 Oct–1 Nov – High Wycombe, Swan Theatre
4–8 Nov – Manchester, Opera House
11–15 Nov – Liverpool Empire
18–22 Nov – Northampton, Royal & Derngate
25–29 Nov – Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
2–6 Dec – Plymouth, Theatre Royal
9–20 Dec – Guildford, G Live

2026
6–10 Jan – Leeds, Grand Theatre
13–17 Jan – Glasgow, King’s Theatre
20–24 Jan – Aberdeen, Music Hall
27–31 Jan – Edinburgh, Playhouse
3–7 Feb – Sunderland Empire
10–21 Feb – Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
24–28 Feb – Stoke, Regent Theatre
3–7 Mar – Southampton, Mayflower
10–14 Mar – Ipswich, Regent Theatre
17–21 Mar – Birmingham, New Alexandra Theatre
24–28 Mar – Bradford, Alhambra Theatre
2–4 Apr – Blackpool, Opera House
7–11 Apr – Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre
14–18 Apr – Torquay, Princess Theatre
21–25 Apr – Truro, Hall for Cornwall
28 Apr–2 May – Milton Keynes Theatre
5–9 May – Llandudno, Venue Cymru
12–16 May – Hull, New Theatre
19–23 May – York, Grand Opera House
26–30 May – Woking, New Victoria Theatre
2–6 Jun – Nottingham, Theatre Royal
9–13 Jun – Norwich, Theatre Royal
16–20 Jun – Portsmouth, Kings Theatre
23–27 Jun – Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre
30 Jun–4 Jul – Newcastle, Theatre Royal
14–18 Jul – Oxford, New Theatre
21–25 Jul – Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre

The production’s creative team includes set and costume design by Liz Ascroft, lighting by Ian Scott, and direction by Caroline Jay Ranger, who helmed the original West End production.

For anyone who grew up quoting Basil, mimicking Manuel, or humming along to “Communication Problems,” this tour is unmissable.

Get tickets from the official site HERE