Presented by Interactive Theatre International
Reviewed: 23 February 2020
I need to make a confession…..I can quote and
recite just about every single one of the 12 episodes of the original Fawlty
Towers TV series. I’m a fan. A big one. It’s the show I constantly go back
to watch when I don’t know what to watch, and I still laugh every time.
Therefore, going into Faulty Towers – The Dining Experience, I was
sceptical, curious and had big expectations. Within the first few minutes, I
was crying with laughter. It has certainly lived up to and exceeded
expectations!
Faulty Towers – The Dining Experience is the creative brainchild of Interactive Theatre
International. Conceived in 1997, this touring production has been seen by
close to a million people across the globe. The show has 12 casts world wide,
and nowadays is touring the world virtually non-stop.
Diners congregate outside one of Stamford
Plaza’s ballrooms, before Basil (Rob Langston), Manuel (Anthony Sottile) and
Sybil (Rebecca Fortuna) appear and the chaos commences. Diners are transported
to the Faulty Towers dining room and are quickly swept into 2 hours of
hilarious pandemonium. From mishaps with soup, table top dancing,
miscommunications galore, the famous Basil walk and relationship issues with
Basil and Sybil, it’s like sitting in the middle of an episode of the original
TV series. I can’t say too much more – you need to experience it for
yourselves.
Throughout the event, Basil, Manuel and Sybil
interact with the diners, perfectly recreating these iconic characters. They
are faultless. Every mannerism is exact, their voices are close to perfect
mimics, and their add-libbing with each other and the diners is incredible.
There is a small portion of the evening that is scripted, but the majority
relies on the skills of these very talented actors and how they work with the
diners.
As part of the ticket price, guests are treated
to a delicious 3 course meal, that lives up to the high standard of the
Stamford Plaza.
Whether you are a Faulty Towers tragic like
myself, or just looking for a fantastic night out that will leave your cheeks
hurting from laughter, Faulty Towers – The Dining Experience is a ‘must
see’ on your 2020 Adelaide Fringe list. However, whatever you do……don’t
mention the war.
Review by Ben Stefanoff
Rating out of 5: 5
Venue: Terrace Ballroom at Stamford Plaza Adelaide
Season: Until 15 March 2020
Duration: 120 mins
Tickets: $85 – $110
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/faulty-towers-the-dining-experience-af2020
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