Casting announced for West End return and UK tour of FAWLTY TOWERS - THE PLAY
Photo credit: Trevor Leighton
Following a hugely successful West End run, John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play will return to London in June 2025 for a three-month summer season before embarking on a 10-month tour across the UK and Ireland later this year, with casting announced today.
The acclaimed production is directed by originating West End director Caroline Jay Ranger, and will star Danny Bayne as Basil Fawlty, Mia Austen as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham reprising his role as Manuel, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Joanne Clifton as Polly, Paul Nicholas reprising his role as The Major, and Helen Lederer (West End)/Jemma Churchill (UK tour) as Mrs Richards.
The play also features other beloved characters from the original TV sitcom. In the West End, Mr Hutchinson/Wilhelm will be played by Greg Haiste, with 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 as Debbie (Hotel Guest), Ben Jacobson as Ken (Hotel Guest), Matthew Gordon as Mr Dale (Hotel Guest), and Raymond Rose as Philip (Hotel Guest).
Based on three of the original BBC TV episodes of the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times), Fawlty Towers – The Play has been adapted for the stage by original co-creator John Cleese into a two-hour play, complete with a new finale.
John Cleese said: “I’m thrilled with the top-class group of comedy actors that we've assembled for the West End return and UK tour of Fawlty Towers - The Play. September 2025 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.”
Following a tip off that hotel inspectors may be visiting and eager to impress, Basil attempts to ingratiate himself with guests who 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 Basil 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.
To book tickets for Fawlty Towers - The Play at London’s Apollo Theatre, please click here.
The UK & Ireland tour of Fawlty Towers - The Play opens in Bromley on 30 September before visiting Eastbourne, Bournemouth, Wimbledon, High Wycombe, Manchester, Liverpool, Northampton, Southend, Plymouth, Guildford, Leeds, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Southampton, Ipswich, Birmingham, Bradford, Blackpool, Torquay, Truro, Milton Keynes, Llandudno, Hull, York, Woking, Nottingham, Norwich, Portsmouth, Cardiff, Newcastle, Dartford, Oxford, and Dublin.
To book tickets for Fawlty Towers - The Play at select touring venues, please click here.