Cast announced for Fawlty Towers – The Play which is heading to the Liverpool Empire

The full cast has been announced for the highly anticipated UK and Ireland tour of Fawlty Towers – The Play, which will arrive at the Liverpool Empire Theatre from Tuesday 11 November to Saturday 15 November 2025.

Following a critically acclaimed and commercially successful West End season earlier this year, the production is now set todelight audiences across the country including a show at the Liverpool Empire in November.

Directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, who helmed the original West End run, the production stars Danny Bayne as the infamous Basil Fawlty, alongside Mia Austen as Sybil Fawlty. Hemi Yeroham returns to his celebrated role as Manuel, with Joanne Clifton appearing as Polly. Paul Nicholas reprises his role as The Major, and Jemma Churchill joins the cast as the ever-demanding Mrs Richards.

Fawlty Towers – The Play has been adapted for the stage by John Cleese, co-creator and star of the original BBC television series, which was first broadcast in 1975 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time. This new stage adaptation commemorates the 50th anniversary of the programme’s original broadcast, and features three of Cleese’s favourite episodes — The Hotel Inspector, The Germans, and Communication Problems — woven into a single theatrical experience, complete with an original finale.

John Cleese said:

“I’m thrilled with the top-class group of comedy actors that we’ve assembled for the UK tour of Fawlty Towers – The Play. September also marks exactly 50 years since the first ever TV episode was broadcast on the BBC. I never thought that all these years later the stage show would get the reception that it has. But here we are, still making theatres rock with laughter.”

In addition to the principal cast, the production features a talented ensemble including Greg Haiste as Mr Hutchinson/Wilhelm, Emily Winter as Miss Tibbs, Dawn Buckland as Miss Gatsby, and John Hasler as Mr Thurston/Günter. Adam Elliott plays Mr Walt, Neil Stewart takes on multiple roles including Mr Firkins and Mr Sharp, and Josie Brightwell, Ashleigh Harvey, Ben Jacobson, Matthew Gordon, and Raymond Rose appear as various hotel guests.

Audiences can expect all the classic mayhem and misadventures that made Fawlty Towers a cultural touchstone — from Basil’s frantic attempts to impress suspected hotel inspectors, to his encounters with difficult guests and increasingly absurd situations, all brought to life with impeccable comic timing and theatrical flair.

Book tickets on the Liverpool Empire website.

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