For a television show that premiered in 1975 and only lasted 12 episodes, Fawlty Towers has certainly transcended time, winning fans all around the world with its irreverent humour and slapstick comedy. And that’s exactly why the dining experience known as Faulty Towers exists, with its popularity bringing this interactive dinner/stage show back to South Australia again and again. Having attended one of these dining experiences last year at the Adelaide Oval, I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed it. So, hearing that the Faulty Towers trio had returned for Adelaide Fringe 2022, I knew I just had to check them out again to see what different laughs they’d bring.
Walking into the Botanical Room at the Terrace Hotel, I was greeted by a very curt Basil at the front door. He didn’t seem like he was really up for a polite chat, but his wife Sybil was friendly enough to exchange a few pleasantries. At 1 pm our lunch show started as we were welcomed into the Faulty Towers and entertained by the slapstick nonsense that’s become synonymous with Basil Fawlty and the bumbling waiter known as Manuel. From a diner finding false teeth in her soup to an escaped rat, the crowd was in hysterics watching the chaos unfold in this dining experience. I also unintentionally became a part of the show when I innocently asked Manuel for an extra bread roll for my soup. My request was passed onto Basil who, for the rest of our two-hour lunch, took great delight in berating me loudly and often so that everyone would hear about my extra bread roll greediness. It was as funny as it was embarrassing and, much like last year, the show really clicked with how authentic the actors were to those of the characters on screen. And although the audience might have been of a slightly older demographic, this really is a fantastic family show that kids will also enjoy, containing the kind of silly, literal, physical humour that will always have a place in my heart and that diners of all ages will absolutely love!
Lunch – Entrée: Thai-style pumpkin soup. Main: Grilled Chicken with mashed potatoes, broccoli, and gravy. Dessert: Lemon Tart served with berries.
Five stars *****