Adapted by the sitcom’s original co-creator John Cleese, the play will run at the Churchill Theatre from Tuesday, September 30, to Saturday, October 4, 2025.
Described as “the funniest show in town” by the Daily Express, the production will kick off its 10-month UK tour in Bromley, running from September 30, 2025, to July 2026.
Tickets for the tour will be available from December 2, 2024, at FawltyTowersTour.co.uk.
The play is based on three of the original BBC TV episodes of the “greatest British sitcom of all time” (Radio Times).
John Cleese has adapted these episodes into a two-hour stage play, complete with a new finale.
Casting for the tour will be announced in due course.
The play has been praised for its seamless transition from screen to stage, with The Arts Desk describing it as a “comedy masterpiece.”
The Daily Telegraph called it an “indisputably funny evening,” while the Daily Mail noted that “from the moment Basil walks on stage, the audience start laughing.”
London Theatre praised the play for featuring “some of the best punchlines ever written.”
Broadway World said: “If you loved the original TV series, you will adore this show.”
The play is directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, who also directed the West End production.
John Cleese said: “When we came up with the idea of bringing Fawlty Towers to the stage, I never thought it would get the reception that it has.
“On December 23 it will be 50 years to the day since we recorded the pilot at BBC Television Centre, and I’m delighted that the audiences we’ve had in the West End still think it’s as funny as ever.
“The announcement of the tour means many more people will now have the chance to laugh themselves helpless.”
The play follows Basil Fawlty as he attempts to impress guests he believes are hotel inspectors, while dealing with the complaints of Mrs Richards, the guest-from-hell.
He is aided by the unflappable Polly and hindered by Manuel, the trainee waiter from Barcelona.
Fawlty Towers was first broadcast on BBC Two on September 19, 1975.
The iconic TV show won numerous awards, including two BAFTAs for Best Situation Comedy.
In 2000, it was voted the best British programme of all time in a British Film Institute poll.
The sitcom is based on a real-life hotel owner, Donald Sinclair.
John Cleese came up with the idea for the character Basil Fawlty after staying at Sinclair’s Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay and becoming fascinated with his incredibly rude behaviour.
