Article Source: ATG
Last Updated: 20 August 2025 16:27
Casting is announced today for John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play. Following the hugely successful and critically acclaimed West End run earlier this year and a return three-month summer season this June, “the funniest show in town” (Daily Express) will have its Scottish premiere at the King’s Theatre, Glasgow as part of a major 10-month tour across 2025 and 2026. Tickets are on sale now via www.atgtickets.com
This “as good as comedy gets” production (Sunday Times) – 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, Strictly star Joanne Clifton as Polly, Hemi Yeroham reprising his role as Manuel, 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 19 September 1975, comedy legend John Cleese, who originally co-wrote the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times) with Connie Booth, has chosen three of his favourite original TV episodes - ‘The Hotel Inspector’ and ‘The Germans’ from series one and ‘Communication Problems’ from series two - and adapted them into a two-hour play, complete with a new finale.
Theatre goers across the country are in for a treat as this “comedy masterpiece makes a seamless transition to the stage” (The Arts Desk) to deliver “an indisputably funny evening” (Daily Telegraph), as “from the moment Basil walks on stage, the audience start laughing” (Daily Mail) whilst watching “some of the best punchlines ever written” (London Theatre). To quote Broadway World; “if you loved the original TV series, you will adore this show”.
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).
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.
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.
Joanne Clifton, Danny Bayne and Paul Nicholas are the latest additions to the cast of Fawlty Towers - The Play by John Cleese, which comes to the King's Theatre Glasgow in January!
READ MOREAldi is inviting charities, community groups and food banks in Glasgow to sign up to receive regular food donations from its stores.
READ MOREScotland's best loved family resort, Crieff Hydro, has unveiled details of a specially curated programme of events as it prepares to welcome guests over the festive period.
READ MOREThe shortlist for the Scots Language Awards 2025 has been unveiled, with figures from Scottish literature, theatre, education and business all in the running for awards at the annual ceremony.
READ MOREA Glasgow fitness coach who was diagnosed with lymphoma earlier this year is set to take on Off the Beatson Track on Sunday, 24th August, with his family by his side.
READ MOREHARIBO UK will open its first ever store in Scotland at Silverburn Glasgow in just three weeks' time, on Tuesday 9th September!
READ MOREScotland's annual celebration of bagpipes, Piping Live!, that had over 30,000 attendances last week, ended on Friday with an impressive evening of folk held in one of the city's most notable venues.
READ MORECult-favourite beauty brand, VIEVE, founded by Glasgow makeup artist Jamie Genevieve, is making a highly anticipated return to Buchanan Galleries this month.
READ MOREThe first 1,000 people to join will receive six months of free access when Shuffle officially launches, along with an exclusive 40% cash reward on the first use of the app.
READ MOREInnis & Gunn has claimed double gold on the global stage, winning best in Scotland for the second year running at the World Beer Awards.
READ MOREThe 2025 World Pipe Band Championships concluded in Glasgow on Saturday with last year’s winners, Inveraray & District Pipe Band, retaining the top title.
READ MOREFrom exciting encounters with Santa himself to hands-on workshops and joyful family moments, Dobbies is the destination for festive fun this Christmas!
READ MOREOne of the most-watched films on Netflix is heading to Vue next weekend for a special sing-along event – with tickets on sale now!
READ MORESpanish fashion brand Bershka has joined the line up at Silverburn, Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, marking its first Glasgow store and second in Scotland.
READ MOREGlynis Barber as Salome Otterbourne and Bob Barrett as Colonel Race are set to join Mark Hadfield as Hercule Poirot when Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile comes to Glasgow!
READ MOREGlasgow's favourite sky-high bar and restaurant has unveiled a stunning new refurbishment, significantly enhancing the space and debuting one of the city's most exciting new bar concepts.
READ MOREWith six weeks to go until the city’s annual cocktail festival, Glasgow Cocktail Week is raising a glass to its biggest-ever programme, and a brand-new name for 2025.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is inspiring gardeners across Scotland this September with two free-to-attend gardening workshops, Little Seedlings Club and Grow How, suitable for all ages and abilities.
READ MOREStaff and regulars from The Abbey Inn in Paisley are lacing up their trainers once again to take part in Beatson Cancer Charity's annual Off the Beatson Track walking event!
READ MORELights, Pints, Action! Scotland's pubs go for gold at the hospitality industry's very own oscars.
READ MOREOn 17th August, Aidan MacDonald, Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist for teenagers and young adults at The Beatson, will be taking to the skies for a thrilling skydive in aid of Beatson Cancer Charity.
READ MOREFrom one-day yoga and breathwork retreats to an overnight luxury Fire & Ice Wellness experience, these events offer the perfect escape to restore, reflect, and recharge.
READ MOREOver 200 musicians from around the world played as one to mark the beginning of this year’s Piping Live! Festival.
READ MOREStronger Together: Kellogg's pledges pound-for-pound match for Big Scottish Breakfast Fundraiser.
READ MORELet's get ready to rumble! The heavyweight champion of entertainment and leisure, XSite Braehead, invites the local community to its big wrestling event!
READ MOREGlasgow is getting ready to once again welcome The World Pipe Band Championships – a spectacular Scottish cultural highlight that's always greatly anticipated by audiences from near and far.
READ MOREDishoom has whet appetites for the opening of its Glasgow cafe by revealing two dishes created exclusively for the city. The hotly anticipated new venue opens on Friday 29th August!
READ MOREDeck the Halls unveils inaugural event in Glasgow in partnership with National Trust for Scotland.
READ MOREThe biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MORENew high ropes course and giant swing unveiled in landmark investment for centenary.
READ MORE