I have noted the Faulty Towers The Dining Experience sign that hangs outside The Aegean Restaurant innumerable times over the years and thought to myself, “one day”. Friday was that day. What I failed to remember as I stepped into the lobby with a certain eagerness on Friday evening was that I am not a fan of the original Fawlty Towers series, nor interactive dinner theatre as a general rule.
It’s the eighth consecutive year the show has returned to Melbourne for MICF. It runs for two hours, with three courses of ’70s inspired fare served throughout. Once diners have assembled, they are greeted and seated by three instantly recognisable characters from the much loved BBC show, Basil Fawlty, his wife Sybil and the sweet, but much maligned Spanish waiter Manuel.
Only 30 per cent of the show is scripted and the actors weave selected story lines from the original series with shambolic service, slapstick and non-stop gags for its duration. Seriously, it doesn’t stop. Fans of the original series can be assured that this tribute remains true. Manuel loses his rat, Sybil loses her cool and Basil loses his mind. There’s even some goose-stepping. The crowd appeared to enjoy themselves and the particular brand of old school BBC humour they were served.
My personal highlights included having the tiny Manuel attempt to throw peanuts in my mouth, being called a “colonial layabout” by an incensed Basil Fawlty and the opening theme of The Bill playing for some reason, possibly to remind us that we had in fact been transported to the United Kingdom. In summary, it was an experience and one best consumed by Fawlty fans.
BY JO ROBIN
