A Faulty Dinner: The Theatrical London Dining Experience Set In The 1970s

Emily Bunder
4 minutes ago
4 min read

The iconic 1970s British sitcom Fawlty Towers took the world by storm when it first premiered, winning numerous awards and inspiring the next generation of comedy writers. Though a show obviously of its time, it is still adored by audiences today, who can recite all of the most memorable lines from its twelve episodes. And these viewers still have an outlet to enjoy their favourite series in the heart of London, through the means of immersive theatre.

Staged by the company Interactive Theatre International, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience was created by Australian writer, Alison Pollard-Mansergh, and was first performed in Brisbane in 1997 but has been serving up mayhem in London’s West End since 2012.

In the nearly three decades since it debuted, it has been staged in 43 countries, with over 1 million guests. The cast are currently performing at the President Hotel in Russell Square, with various touring shows across the country coming up. The show has also been staged previously at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House. But the experience is actually not associated with the TV show, rather it is a tribute and though the characters are much like their on-screen counterparts, much of the immersive performance is improvised by the actors.

Upon arrival, guests are checked in and given time to mingle and order drinks from the bar, before being greeted by the bumbling and naïve Spanish waiter, Manuel. His lack of skill in English speaking opens up a wealth of opportunities for his actor, a fairly new addition to the company – Jacob Tanner, to play on the comedy of misunderstandings. When asked to clear tables of glasses, Manuel deprived every single glasses-wearer of their spectacles, before being berated the first of many times by manager Basil, and the latter’s wife, Sybil. Fans of the show may consider this behaviour to be strange, as Sybil is usually more sympathetic, but by giving her a meaner and stricter side, this makes up for the lack of the TV show’s chambermaid, Polly.

The London show has also recently acquired itself a new Head Chef, Jonathan Bradley, who I can safely say cooked up a storm. Guests start with a tomato soup with basil oil, accompanied by a game of catch with some bread rolls and butter and some…other surprises if you’re lucky. Huge plates of roast chicken, vegetables and potatoes follow for the main. For the vegetarians and vegans, a sweet potato and courgette timbale is served. The meal is finished with a lemon and berry cheesecake. The three-course meal is surprisingly tasty for an experience based on a TV show that has minimal success in the kitchen.

Something I noticed about most of the cast is just how well they are retained by the company. Many actors have been working on the show and within immersive theatre for years. Many different people play each role, and every actor puts their own spin on their character, as well as playing into the audience and working around the way they come across and how involved they want to get in the experience. The same show I saw may include similar jokes to another, but every performance is different in some way, shape or form.

Both during and after our show, I spoke to the actress who played Sybil, Nerine Skinner, who has been playing her character since 2018. Her attention to the audience was immaculate throughout, coming up to each and every table to get to know who was in the hotel that night. As Sybil, she gave me some great advice for my upcoming 20^th birthday, urging me to enjoy drinking alcohol and never get married, in true Sybil form.

As Nerine, she offered me some insight into just how much she enjoys her role:

“I love performing as Sybil because every single time, even though there's a script, the audience provide something new. The audience take the show to another level and the interactions while performing always allow me to find something I've not found before.

The show challenges me in many ways. From a character perspective and mimicry of fine details, like voice and mannerisms, to the improvisational element and willingness to change direction. With only 3 actors in the show, it also means you're constantly on, there's no hiding behind a curtain. We are in amongst the audience, at their tables and getting to know them.

A lot of people come to celebrate significant moments. It's very rare to get that opportunity in any Theatre show, and I think it gives the show an extra special feeling. We had a 91-year-old in [the audience] and it felt like this was going to be firmly placed in her family's memories as a really wonderful evening.”

No one goes to the Faulty Towers dining experience because they’re expecting the best meal of their lives; the fact that the food is good adds to the enjoyment factor. But if you were to ask any of the people in the lobby of the President Hotel, queuing up to enter, they’d tell you that they’re going for the nostalgia for old British comedy and a laugh with their family and friends. Tribute bands and singers exist to recognise and admire the talents of performers, and Faulty Towers has shown me why tribute theatre, and immersive theatre, should exist too: to fulfil the desire that everyone has to be a part of their favourite TV shows.

Edited by Grace Mahoney, Theatre Editor