2008 Fringe Festival Reviews:
The Independent Weekly (4 March 2008)
The Faulty Towers Dining Experience began outside the restaurant in classic style: Manuel locked himself outside and Sybil had to come and sort out the situation and make sure that all the customers got a nut each while also ensuring that Basil found his table list. The fun had begun.
The theatre surrounded the dining area, popping up everywhere to surprise the unsuspecting audience. Basil, Sybil and Manuel all looked amazingly similar to the well-known TV characters and their ability to stay in character throughout the audience interaction was superb.
The soup was served quickly and was enjoyed until Cybil announced that the chef had lost his teeth in the soup and could we all check our bowls...! They were found and Manuel continued to entertain with his misunderstandings of English, which included 'waiting on a table' by shifting the food and wine so there was room for him to 'wait' on the table.
I now know exactly how it feels to be harassed and stared down by Basil, waited on by Manuel and listen to Sybil's shrill calls to her husband. It was complete with Faulty action from fire drills, secrets from Sybil and runaway rats. The food was delicious, contrary to Sybil's indications that it all came from a can. Being a part of the Faulty Towers Dining Experience is something I would thoroughly recommend.
Reviewer - Petria Smith
Adelaide Advertiser (3 March 2008)
NOBODY mentioned the war - but Basil, Sybil and Manuel ensured the pet rat - or hamster - and an unfortunate betting episode evoked memories of the series.
A real dinner, interspersed with the antics of the hapless Faulty crew, result in a mix of the expected gags and the added highlight of never quite knowing when a bread roll might come flying through the air or a shrill “Basil” explode just behind you.
[The performer playing Basil] has an uncanny resemblance to Basil’s creator John Cleese and the team works the whole room perfectly so that nobody is ever quite removed from the action.
Even if you don’t know the original series off by heart the laughs are sure to come.
Reviewer - Anne Denny
Sunday Mail (2 March 2008)
Poor old Basil ... the night didn't start well. We're locked out, Manuel is pressing tickets against the glass looking for customers and Sybil is teasing her hair. Basil emerges from an alley looking suitably disturbed and, after much arguing about a door, we are in and the insults begin.
Abuse from Basil, Manuel literally waiting on tables, Sybil screaming, chef's dentures in the soup and a dead herring on the wall above us - this is theatre restaurant at it's edgiest with no one daring to complain.
[The performer playing Basil] makes an ideally angst-ridden Basil, Alison Pollard-Mansergh is naggy to the nth degree as Sybil and Tony Nixon makes a wondrous Manuel. A completely entertaining disaster.
Reviewer - Matt Byrne
Rip-it-up (1 March 2008)
Just one of the offerings from Interactive Theatre Australia, this cringingly funny evening’s entertainment begins with ‘Basil Faulty', a nightmarishly-bewigged Sybil (Alison Pollard-Mansergh) and the uncannily authentic Manuel (Andy Foreman when I caught the show and Tony Nixon later) summoning the ‘guests’ from the cocktail bar and attempting to seat them in the restaurant. As the three course meal is served, the deliciously stressful fun begins: Basil scolds one and all for putting their elbows on the table and drips John Cleese-calibre contempt; Sybil ‘sings’ birthday wishes (eeeek!); the much-abused Manuel engages in an elaborately obvious but nonetheless joyous plate-breaking gag; and set-ups straight from the series Fawlty Towers kick off in earnest, including the horse-racing bet trick, a brief ‘Don’t Mention The War’ glimpse and, to everyone’s sheer delight, the escaped rat (“Is Siberian Hamster!”) routine (and no, it doesn’t involve actual vermin). Traumatically hilarious - or should that be hilariously traumatic? - this is genuinely one of the Fringe’s best and worth every penny (and insult).
Reviewer - Dave Bradley
Messenger Newspapers (27 February 2008)
I ADMIT, I was nervous about seeing this show. Theatre dinners can be so cheesy and tragic, but this was a tremendously funny and enjoyable night of interactive comedy.
Brave audience members are greeted by the legendary British sitcom characters of Basil and Sybil Fawlty and Manuel, and then the fun, abuse and chaos begins.
The Interactive Theatre team has been doing this show for about 11 years and the three actors do such clever impersonations that they seem to be channelling the characters.
[The performer in the role of] Basil was utterly brilliant, Alison Pollard-Mansergh was spookily like Sybil and Andy Foreman fabulous as the hapless Manuel. Stuart Gifford's three-course dinner (at Sarah's) was excellent but, for once, the food plays second fiddle to the riotous antics which involve everyone in the restaurant you can run, but you can't hide!
We had tears of laughter streaming down our cheeks for most of the night.
Reviewer - Kylie Fleming
DB Magazine (26 February 2008)
Standing outside a closed venue reading the rough signs stuck to the door can be a disconcerting experience: "Under New Management" and "Wait Outside. Signed: B Faulty" gave the game away to the throng. A few minutes after 7pm Sybil (Alison Pollard-Mansergh) and Basil stepped out to greet their dining audience and begin the lengthy process of sorting out Manuel (the diminutive Tony Nixon) and getting everyone seated. You pays your money and you takes your chances... This is great theatre for fans of the TV show and a dining experience like no other for anyone else, even the tourists in Leigh Street outside got into the act taking photos. The three staff (protagonists?) are excellent studies of their characters and everyone felt they were part of the entertainment.
Manuel creates havoc throughout the evening: chairs are stolen, butter is lost and found, Manuel clambers on top of one hapless woman and dances on her table - "Mr Faulty, he say go and wait on table..." - and the chef's false teeth are lost, and found, in the tomato and basil soup. The food might be a trifle cursory (the Dragon pie), but no-one went home hungry.
Faithful to the feel of the television show, the main course involves ratatouille and much more drama. Basil stalks the restaurant chiding patrons on their manners - "Elbows! Where did you people grow up?" - and Manuel's pet rat - "is hampster..." - makes its inevitable appearance. The two hour duration is a little flexible, so don't go booking another show straight after unless you're comfortable with cutting and running. Highly recommended.
Reviewer - Alex Wheaton
Talk Fringe Website (Audience reviews throughout Festival)
BENNIC wrote:
A fantastic night by all 8 of us at the table. The characters start from the minute you enter the restaurant and play the roles fabulously all night. We had Manuel on the table and under the table, were abused by Basil and watched Sybil try and control both of them. We were at the Strathmore and the food was also fantastic. A fantastic night all around and highly recommended.
    
KimE wrote:
This is one of the MOST FABULOUS shows that I have seen! It is like you are in an actual episode of Fawlty Towers. The actors are FANTASTIC! I laughed so hard that the tears just rolled down my face. I am pretty sure it is completely sold out, but if you have the chance to see it, it is well worth it. You get a meal, and that was great too.
   
Nige wrote:
We were a family group ranging in age from 16 to 50 and everyone thoroughly enjoyed this great show. Faithful to the feel of the TV series but with an impromptu quality which kept you on edge - Brilliant!
  
dpk58 wrote:
As a regular fringe particpant I can quite categorically say that this show was absolutely brilliant. The cast were excellent , with some very funny excerpts from the original show. A great meal as well, at the Strathmore, thanks to Randall the chef.. Dont miss it.
  
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