In 1975, Fawlty Towers aired for the first time. Little did creators John Cleese and Connie Booth know that fifty years later the show would still be so popular. Despite the fact that only twelve episodes were made, there are so many magical British humour moments packed into each one.
For the lovers of the BBC classic, magnificent Faulty Towers The Dining Experience returns to another Adelaide Fringe. The world’s most sought-after tribute to the BBC sitcom, this interactive dining experience is simply unmissable.
A brilliant night is on the cards when the Faultys come to town. This is the show where you step inside the TV series and see it from the inside out. Highly improvised, highly interactive and fully immersive, audiences join the action, becoming guests who play along with Basil, Sybil and Manuel.
This year the role of Sybil will be played by the wonderful Lara Dignam. Lara, originally from Adelaide, grew up studying dance and drama, had a brief foray as an engineering student (hated it), then finally finished a degree in film and philosophy at The University of Sydney. Lara then studied acting at Screenwise (Sydney) and RADA (London) as well as with the formidable acting coach, the late Lynette Sheldon.
Lara spoke to Glam Adelaide in the lead up to the Adelaide Fringe about Faulty Towers The Dining Experience and what it is about the performing arts industry that she loves.
“I think, especially in the case of theatre, it’s the immediate response you get. When you’re in a room and you land a joke and people laugh, it’s an incredible feeling. You don’t really get that from many other things. It’s just a really wonderful energy.”
We asked Lara if she always knew performing was where she would end up for a career.
“I think so, but in different formats. Growing up, I did a lot of dance in Adelaide. I grew up in Hampstead Gardens and I went to a place locally where I did dance and drama. I followed that until I left school and then I did quite a bit of travelling. While I was overseas I started studying again and was doing a bit of acting while I was in the UK. So throughout my life, it’s always been there but in a few different formats.”
Both the TV series and the dining experience are loved right around the world. Lara shared with us what it is about Faulty Towers that she is still drawn to.
“I started working with Interactive Theatre International, the company that produces The Faulty Towers Dining Experience, a little over 10 years ago now. I took a break when I had kids. When I saw the show again after my break, I was still laughing even though I knew the script back-to-front and inside out. I think what stood out to me is that there’s huge physicality to it. Slapstick never dies – it translates across time and space and even nations. There is something special in the physicality of the show, both the live dining experience and the original TV series.”
A huge portion of the show is completely improved, relying on the banter between the audience and the cast.
“The show is a real adrenaline rush in both the scripted and unscripted parts. With the scripted parts, we all work with different combinations of actors. There are several actors who can play the roles, so we sometimes have different casting in different venues. So even though we’re saying the same lines, everyone has a slightly different twist in the delivery. We all bring ourselves to the role. You can still be surprised because of someone you see in the audience or because the particular Basil or Manuel that I’m working with will do something slightly different. So although the basic premise will be the same, you get these different flavours. The improvisation in the show is really special. It’s off the cuff with people and we’re roving around and working the room. I think that the beauty of that for me as Sybil is that Sybil loves to chat. She’s also got these priorities where she wants to enjoy her life despite the difficulties in work and marriage. She wants to try and have a good time when she can and also just get business done when she can. I have a lot of fun with that – just chit-chatting, because it’s just part of what she enjoys doing. I think with most audiences, there’s usually like a good portion who are really happy to play along, which is lots of fun.”
I have been a huge fan of Faulty Towers The Dining Experience for many years. The first time I attended I was very apprehensive as to how much I would have to interact with the cast. However, after the first few minutes, I was at complete ease with the show. The cast all have a wonderful way of working with the audience.
“For the most part the audiences I’ve found are very generous; they’re very happy to be there. After the initial beginning of the show where no one really knows what to expect, they can let go and enjoy themselves. They work out quickly how silly it is and how many stupid questions they’re being asked and just enjoy the moment. When the audiences aren’t open and willing, it makes our job so much harder. But for the most part they are, and they really are good at just trusting us to look after them. It helps when people are fans as well because they’re doing something special for their love of the original show.”
With two hours of comedy, three courses of food, expect chaos, laughs, and a brilliant night out.
“Adelaide during Fringe time is really peak Adelaide. Even when I’m not in the Fringe, I love coming back because there’s festivity and energy and usually lovely weather. There’s a feeling of relaxation and excitement. Being able to work and be close to family is special for me. Adelaide audiences love Faulty Towers The Dining Experience. It’s always nice talking to people after the show because you get a real mixture of returning fans and people who haven’t seen it before, but you know they will be back again.”
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience
Botanical Room – The Terrace Hotel, Adelaide
Friday 21 February – Sunday 23 March, 2025
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/faulty-towers-the-dining-experience-af2025
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