"Fawlty Towers - The Play" adapted by John Cleese.

Written by John Cleese and Connie Booth.

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

I have seen a version of "Fawlty Towers" a few years ago where four episodes are mashed into one stage play, and loved every minute of it; which Fawlty Towers fan wouldn't? This adaptation brings the best moments from three of the twelve episodes (can you believe there were only twelve episodes made?) to the stage; as well as a few nods to other episodes. "The Hotel Inspector" and "The Germans" from series one and "Communication Problems" from series two - and adapted them into this two-hour play, complete with a new finale.

I had the pleasure quite a few years ago of interviewing Andrew Sachs, who played Manuel, and he told me that he loved playing Manuel, but sustained many bruises and bumps at the hands of John Cleese. The knockabout violence has been well choreographed throughout the play, especially the onset from Mr Walt on Basil which were wonderfully timed.

For the role of Basil Fawlty you need someone who can match the physicality of John Cleese, have the energy levels of John Cleese and sound like Cleese playing Basil Fawlty. Step forward Danny Bayne who looked very much like Cleese and, like all of the actors here, have scrutinised the original characters and have replicated their voices and foibles. Of course there's the infamous scene with the funny walk included, which was greeted by a huge round of applause.

Basil's wife, Sybil, is played by Mia Austen, who sounds remarkably like Prunella Scales' character, the snooty Sybil Fawlty. The costumes and wig complete the image perfectly.

Hemi Yeroham plays Manuel, the hapless waiter from Barcelona. Marvellously manic in parts and when the physical side of Manuel slows down, vocally Hemi has nailed that accent accurately. Add the wig, the moustache and the costume and Andrew Sachs lives again, showing what a wonderful observation for characteristics Hemi Yeroham really is.

Polly is played by Joanne Clifton, who has absolutely nailed the vocal technique employed by Connie Booth. Joanne has carved a solid career on stage, after leaving "Strictly", and especially in musicals, displaying an excellent set of vocal chords. As Polly, Joanne really highlights her comedy skills as the slightly frustrated and "run off her feet" Polly.

The Major is played by an absolute legend in my opinion, Paul Nicholas, who started his stage career in 1968, in the infamous stage musical "Hair", before having a very successful pop music career and an equally successful TV career. At 81 years old he is as sprightly as he was over 50 years ago. His portrayal of the slightly senile, amiable retired old soldier, who is a permanent resident of Fawlty Towers, is spot on, and is a real joy to watch such a legend in action.

Jemma Churchill plays Mrs Richards, another of my favourite cameo sit-com characters. Played originally by the wonderful Joan Sanderson, Mrs Richards is the hard of hearing, overly demanding guest in "Communication Problems". The classic "view from Torquay hotel window" sketch was one scene that I was looking forward to, and it did not disappoint. It's scenes like these that have you reciting the script word for word in the way that you'd sing along to a favourite song.

Greg Haiste plays Mr Hutchinson, the fussy and pernickety spoon salesman, who Fawlty mistook for someone else, plus Wilhelm, one of the German guests. 

Emily Winter is Miss Tibbs and Dawn Buckland plays Miss Gatsby, the other two permanent residents along side The Major. Seemingly inseparable, these sweet-natured, dotty spinsters appear to have taken a fancy to Basil. The physicality in these characters really show what lovely character actors both Emily and Dawn are.

John Hasler is Mr Thurston who tells Basil about a racehorse which prompts an ecstatic Basil to secretly place a large bet on the horse, as well as Gunter one of the Germans!

Adam Elliott is Mr Walt, a mild-mannered but bewildered guest who is secretly a hotel inspector testing the establishment.

Neil Stewart plays the Taxi Driver, Mr Firkins, Mr Kerr and Mr Sharp.

Josie Brightwell play hotel guests Liz and Johanna.

Debbie, an ensemble hotel guest character who isn't in the TV version of the show, is played by Ashleigh Harvey 

Ben Jacobson is Ken, another ensemble hotel guest. 

Matthew Gordon is hotel guest, Mr Dale. 

Phillip, a hotel guest, is played by Raymond Rose. 

Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger who perfectly manages to keep that lovely 70's feel to the show, all the while though showing that comedy from over half a century in the past is still raising not just laughs but guffaws of laughter. It's such a pacy show and the mash up of the three chosen half hour episodes work so well, and so smoothly.

The Set and Costume Design is by Liz Ascroft. The set itself is a wonderful replica of the hotel desk area, dining room and the bedroom on top of these two sets. The exterior image of the hotel is also above the ground floor sets, and immediately brings the opening images of the TV show to mind. What also bring those images back is the iconic Fawlty Towers sign post, and watch out for the second half as it keeps with tradition of the TV show... I'll say no more than that, but fans of the TV sit com will know exactly what I mean.

The costumes, as I've already mentioned replicate the original characters exactly, as do the wigs and make up. The characters do not need to say a thing because those costumes say who they are.

Lighting Design is by Ian Scott with Sound Design by Rory Madden. As soon as the theme music, written by Dennis Wilson starts, you are instantly taken back to the 70's, and provides a warming virtual hug from days gone by.

John Cleese and Connie Booth may only have written twelve episodes of "Fawlty Towers", but they show in this case that quality supersedes quantity. The characters are all so well written and all have a personal human feel, and the addition of the ensemble hotel guests in the play fit in so well with the characters that everyone who is old enough to have watched the originals on TV know, love and remember with great fondness.

Looking round the audience in tonight (Tuesday), the age range was vast, and the young ones were laughing just as much as the grey haired brigade (I of course include myself in that category), proof that good comedy writing is timeless; at the end of the day, funny is funny, no matter how old you are. If only the sit coms of today were as well written, rounded and as funny as the classics from fifty years ago.

"Fawlty Towers" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 6 June.

Photography by Hugo Glendinning.