Review: FAULTY TOWERS THE DINING EXPERIENCE, President Hotel
The Faulty Towers The Dining Experience, held at the President Hotel, is a lively and unpredictable evening that blends immersive theatre with nostalgic comedy. Guests are welcomed into the bar area upon arrival, where there's time to enjoy a drink before the performance begins. However, the space can become crowded and service is notably slow, so arriving early is advisable. As drinks are not available once inside the dining room and there is no table service during the show, securing a bottle in advance is a sensible choice to ensure you’re set for the evening ahead.
The performance kicks off before you even reach your seat, with the characters bursting into action to inform guests where they’ll be sitting. Basil Fawlty (played brilliantly by Lawrence Watling) delivers a string of hilarious one-liners to individual diners as they’re ushered to their tables, immediately setting the tone for the evening. It’s a clever and chaotic introduction that pulls the audience into the world of Fawlty Towers from the very start.
Rather than a traditional stage show, this is a fully immersive experience whereby the cast weave through tables, clamber over furniture, and interact directly with diners. It’s unpredictable, high-energy comedy that keeps everyone on their toes.
Lawrence Watling as Basil is a particular standout, with razor-sharp improvisation and spot-on comic timing. His facial expressions, tone, and intonation are excellent impressions of the iconic character and are instantly recognisable and completely in keeping with the Basil we know and love. Nerine Skinner as Sybil and Leigh Kelly as Manuel both bring great energy to their roles, and while their accents and characterisation aren’t always perfectly true to the originals, their commitment and audience engagement keeps the momentum going and adds to the overall charm.
The attention to detail in costuming is spot on. Sybil’s iconic bouffant hairstyle and Basil’s trademark moustache are instantly recognisable and bring a real sense of authenticity. The creative use of props enhances the immersive experience throughout, with one moment involving a plate of nuts dramatically showering the diners adding to the absurdity and fun.
For fans of the original show, it’s a real treat to spot well-loved references peppered throughout the evening. From iconic one-liners to recognisable scenarios, like the chaos of the health inspector episode, it’s great fun to see how the team have woven classic moments into the evening.
The food, while not the focal point, is perfectly fine for the ticket price. The soup starter is a pleasant surprise, and while the chicken main and dessert are relatively simple, they are more than acceptable. Tables are set for ten, so you’ll likely be sat with people you didn’t come with, but the nature of the show means you’ll be laughing together in no time.
All in all, it’s a lively, nostalgic, and thoroughly entertaining night out. While purists might spot the odd deviation from the original characters, the spirit of Fawlty Towers is alive and well. A great value evening full of laughter, surprises, and memorable moments.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Laura Harris
