topic Re: Fawlty is Fifty in What's On

Fawlty is Fifty

Mr+Ripley — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:19:53 GMT

It certainly is a year for big anniversaries, & here's another one. Fawlty Towers is 50 this year. To celebrate, U&Gold will be airing Fawlty Towers: The Play in September.

The following is from RadioTimes.com -

" U&Gold will be marking the occasion with a live "pro-shot" recording of the West End show’s original cast.

The two-hour long broadcast will air in September, with full support of show co-creator and star John Cleese, who said: "I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to Fawlty Towers: The Play since its debut in the West End and it's a pleasure to hear U&Gold will be bringing it straight to everyone's living rooms just in time for the 50th anniversary. The play is a combination of three of the sitcom’s most notable episodes: The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems. "

It should be interesting to see a whole new cast take on one of the most beloved British sitcoms. One thing I like about Fawlty Towers is that it packed more comedy into one episode than most modern sitcoms do in one season.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

MarkGoldsmith — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:15:14 GMT

@Mr+Ripley wrote:
It certainly is a year for big anniversaries, & here's another one. Fawlty Towers is 50 this year. To celebrate, U&Gold will be airing Fawlty Towers: The Play in September.
The following is from RadioTimes.com -
" U&Gold will be marking the occasion with a live "pro-shot" recording of the West End show’s original cast.
The two-hour long broadcast will air in September, with full support of show co-creator and star John Cleese, who said: "I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to Fawlty Towers: The Play since its debut in the West End and it's a pleasure to hear U&Gold will be bringing it straight to everyone's living rooms just in time for the 50th anniversary. The play is a combination of three of the sitcom’s most notable episodes: The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems. "
It should be interesting to see a whole new cast take on one of the most beloved British sitcoms. One thing I like about Fawlty Towers is that it packed more comedy into one episode than most modern sitcoms do in one season.

That will be well worth watching.

I went to see it in the West End and it was such a good show.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

Mr+Ripley — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:14:02 GMT

@MarkGoldsmith wrote:
@Mr+Ripley wrote:
It certainly is a year for big anniversaries, & here's another one. Fawlty Towers is 50 this year. To celebrate, U&Gold will be airing Fawlty Towers: The Play in September.
The following is from RadioTimes.com -
" U&Gold will be marking the occasion with a live "pro-shot" recording of the West End show’s original cast.
The two-hour long broadcast will air in September, with full support of show co-creator and star John Cleese, who said: "I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to Fawlty Towers: The Play since its debut in the West End and it's a pleasure to hear U&Gold will be bringing it straight to everyone's living rooms just in time for the 50th anniversary. The play is a combination of three of the sitcom’s most notable episodes: The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems. "
It should be interesting to see a whole new cast take on one of the most beloved British sitcoms. One thing I like about Fawlty Towers is that it packed more comedy into one episode than most modern sitcoms do in one season.
That will be well worth watching.

I went to see it in the West End and it was such a good show.

@MarkGoldsmith That's good to know. It's one of those things where you wonder if they should play about with it, as in are people going to want to see a completely different cast copy such revered episodes? From your comment, it sounds like it worked. A similar thing has been done, of course, with Only Fools and Horses: The Musical ( which we saw a couple of months ago ), so I guess there is a market for it. I am glad they didn't make the stage adaptation of FT into a musical, though. I've nothing against musicals, I really like them, but I'm not so sure if it would've worked in this case.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

MarkGoldsmith — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:53:57 GMT

@Mr+Ripley wrote:
@MarkGoldsmith wrote:
@Mr+Ripley wrote:
It certainly is a year for big anniversaries, & here's another one. Fawlty Towers is 50 this year. To celebrate, U&Gold will be airing Fawlty Towers: The Play in September.
The following is from RadioTimes.com -
" U&Gold will be marking the occasion with a live "pro-shot" recording of the West End show’s original cast.
The two-hour long broadcast will air in September, with full support of show co-creator and star John Cleese, who said: "I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to Fawlty Towers: The Play since its debut in the West End and it's a pleasure to hear U&Gold will be bringing it straight to everyone's living rooms just in time for the 50th anniversary. The play is a combination of three of the sitcom’s most notable episodes: The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems. "
It should be interesting to see a whole new cast take on one of the most beloved British sitcoms. One thing I like about Fawlty Towers is that it packed more comedy into one episode than most modern sitcoms do in one season.
That will be well worth watching.

I went to see it in the West End and it was such a good show.
@MarkGoldsmith That's good to know. It's one of those things where you wonder if they should play about with it, as in are people going to want to see a completely different cast copy such revered episodes? From your comment, it sounds like it worked. A similar thing has been done, of course, with Only Fools and Horses: The Musical ( which we saw a couple of months ago ), so I guess there is a market for it. I am glad they didn't make the stage adaptation of FT into a musical, though. I've nothing against musicals, I really like them, but I'm not so sure if it would've worked in this case.

All in all, I think the cast did a great job portraying the original characters. The only performance I didn't like was Sybil, as I felt the actress didn't quite get the voice and mannerisms correct.

I also saw the Only Fools and Horses Musical a couple of years ago which i also loved. Again i thought most of the cast portrayed the character exceptionally well and did a great job imitating the original characters.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

Mr+Ripley — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 12:54:53 GMT

@Mr+Ripley wrote:
It certainly is a year for big anniversaries, & here's another one. Fawlty Towers is 50 this year. To celebrate, U&Gold will be airing Fawlty Towers: The Play in September.
The following is from RadioTimes.com -
" U&Gold will be marking the occasion with a live "pro-shot" recording of the West End show’s original cast.
The two-hour long broadcast will air in September, with full support of show co-creator and star John Cleese, who said: "I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to Fawlty Towers: The Play since its debut in the West End and it's a pleasure to hear U&Gold will be bringing it straight to everyone's living rooms just in time for the 50th anniversary. The play is a combination of three of the sitcom’s most notable episodes: The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems. "
It should be interesting to see a whole new cast take on one of the most beloved British sitcoms. One thing I like about Fawlty Towers is that it packed more comedy into one episode than most modern sitcoms do in one season.

This is on next Friday at 9 pm.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

Marlu-Nyu — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 14:16:19 GMT

@Mr+Ripley wrote:
It certainly is a year for big anniversaries, & here's another one. Fawlty Towers is 50 this year. To celebrate, U&Gold will be airing Fawlty Towers: The Play in September.
The following is from RadioTimes.com -
" U&Gold will be marking the occasion with a live "pro-shot" recording of the West End show’s original cast.
The two-hour long broadcast will air in September, with full support of show co-creator and star John Cleese, who said: "I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to Fawlty Towers: The Play since its debut in the West End and it's a pleasure to hear U&Gold will be bringing it straight to everyone's living rooms just in time for the 50th anniversary. The play is a combination of three of the sitcom’s most notable episodes: The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems. "
It should be interesting to see a whole new cast take on one of the most beloved British sitcoms. One thing I like about Fawlty Towers is that it packed more comedy into one episode than most modern sitcoms do in one season.

Isn't it crazy how there was only 12 episodes, and 2 series (of 6 episodes each) of Fawlty Towers?

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

ozsat — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 07:15:32 GMT

I think the reason there are so few episodes is why they are timeless classics.

OF&H went on far too long and I feel the poor quality on the later episodes inpacts on how good the early series are seen as. Jolly Boys Outing was the series at it's best.

Fawly Towers - I can't really pick a best episode as there are all good - if kept away from the censors.

I've set the play to record and hope it captures the quality of the tv series.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

lettice — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 10:46:07 GMT

Just brilliant classic comedy.
Been a long time since I've watched it.

Though have probably watched many many times over the fifty years.

Have playlisted it to watch. Will certainly enjoy the cloud recordings in the coming weeks.

Not so sure about the play. Never heard of that before, not that I've ever been a fan of such things.

Might give it a watch.

Noticed the play was there as a tile today, but on clicking on it ended up with a Sorry message.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

Mr+Ripley — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 17:39:10 GMT

@lettice wrote:
Just brilliant classic comedy.
Been a long time since I've watched it.
Though have probably watched many many times over the fifty years.
Have playlisted it to watch. Will certainly enjoy the cloud recordings in the coming weeks.

Not so sure about the play. Never heard of that before, not that I've ever been a fan of such things.
Might give it a watch.
Noticed the play was there as a tile today, but on clicking on it ended up with a Sorry message.

I've set it to record, but I'm hoping there may be an ad-free version after it's aired from On Demand. It will be so much better if it's allowed to be seen the same way you'd see it in a theatre.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

Mr+Ripley — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 17:42:39 GMT

@Marlu-Nyu wrote:
@Mr+Ripley wrote:
It certainly is a year for big anniversaries, & here's another one. Fawlty Towers is 50 this year. To celebrate, U&Gold will be airing Fawlty Towers: The Play in September.
The following is from RadioTimes.com -
" U&Gold will be marking the occasion with a live "pro-shot" recording of the West End show’s original cast.
The two-hour long broadcast will air in September, with full support of show co-creator and star John Cleese, who said: "I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to Fawlty Towers: The Play since its debut in the West End and it's a pleasure to hear U&Gold will be bringing it straight to everyone's living rooms just in time for the 50th anniversary. The play is a combination of three of the sitcom’s most notable episodes: The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems. "
It should be interesting to see a whole new cast take on one of the most beloved British sitcoms. One thing I like about Fawlty Towers is that it packed more comedy into one episode than most modern sitcoms do in one season.
Isn't it crazy how there was only 12 episodes, and 2 series (of 6 episodes each) of Fawlty Towers?

It's the ol' showbiz motto, go out whilst you're still on top. It also worked for Ricky Gervais with The Office - 14 episodes, & Extras - 13 episodes.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

Mr+Ripley — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 18:01:54 GMT

@Mr+Ripley wrote:
@Marlu-Nyu wrote:
@Mr+Ripley wrote:
It certainly is a year for big anniversaries, & here's another one. Fawlty Towers is 50 this year. To celebrate, U&Gold will be airing Fawlty Towers: The Play in September.
The following is from RadioTimes.com -
" U&Gold will be marking the occasion with a live "pro-shot" recording of the West End show’s original cast.
The two-hour long broadcast will air in September, with full support of show co-creator and star John Cleese, who said: "I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to Fawlty Towers: The Play since its debut in the West End and it's a pleasure to hear U&Gold will be bringing it straight to everyone's living rooms just in time for the 50th anniversary. The play is a combination of three of the sitcom’s most notable episodes: The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems. "
It should be interesting to see a whole new cast take on one of the most beloved British sitcoms. One thing I like about Fawlty Towers is that it packed more comedy into one episode than most modern sitcoms do in one season.
Isn't it crazy how there was only 12 episodes, and 2 series (of 6 episodes each) of Fawlty Towers?
It's the ol' showbiz motto, go out whilst you're still on top. It also worked for Ricky Gervais with The Office - 14 episodes, & Extras - 13 episodes.

Someone else who has followed this idea is Steve Coogan, with various shows starring Alan Partridge.

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

KevNewMedia — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:24:53 GMT

Love this comedy as well and 50 years in, I can't wait to tell my other half who is 50 tomorrow, how old he really is 😂

Re: Fawlty is Fifty

Mr+Ripley — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:40:34 GMT

@Mr+Ripley wrote:
@lettice wrote:
Just brilliant classic comedy.
Been a long time since I've watched it.
Though have probably watched many many times over the fifty years.
Have playlisted it to watch. Will certainly enjoy the cloud recordings in the coming weeks.

Not so sure about the play. Never heard of that before, not that I've ever been a fan of such things.
Might give it a watch.
Noticed the play was there as a tile today, but on clicking on it ended up with a Sorry message.

I've set it to record, but I'm hoping there may be an ad-free version after it's aired from On Demand. It will be so much better if it's allowed to be seen the same way you'd see it in a theatre.

As I hoped, there is a shorter version - 1h 38m as opposed to the recorded version of 2h 9m - available from U & Gold On Demand.