Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience
Review by Sam
⭐⭐⭐⭐
As they celebrate their 13th year in London, we were invited to the President Hotel to spend the evening with Basil, Sybil and Manuel for a 3-course immersive meal based on the much loved British sitcom.
Serving up laughter, chaos and entertainment in equal measure, Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience is a loving tribute to John Cleese and Connie Booth's iconic series. Whilst it doesn't follow a narrative structure, the immersive experience recreates some of the most celebrated comedic moments and scenes from the show as audiences are thrown into the world of Basil Fawlty. Devised by Imagination Workshop Pty Limited, the experience pays homage to the TV series by incorportating fan favourite moments in a highly original way, all whilst being served a delicious 3-course meal which can be adjusted to cater for all dietary requirements.
The meal was extremly tasty and enjoyable, with the highlight being soup served with a bread roll we had to catch from Manuel himself before additionally having garnish thrown all over the table. Whilst the food may not have been a taste-sensation to all, audiences attend for the overall chaotic immersion as the experience largely relies on fans of the series, with endless audience participation which references moments from the show. Whilst you do not need to be a fan to enjoy the experience as a whole, it certainly helps to have seen the wildly funny sitcom in order to fully appreciate the evening and the jokes that are made throughout.
The cast at our performance included David Tremaine as Basil, Andrew Gruen as Manuel, and Jessica Foden as Sybil. All three performers excell in brining these beloved characters to life, as they follow the scripted jokes excellently whilst also hillariously improvising in character with the audience members around them.
Fans of the TV series will have a riotious evening, as you are instantly launched into the farcical world of the iconic hotel from the moment you enter the bar. The wonderful cast of three pay homage in this wildly fun experience that will leave you laughing long into the night!