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Sticks, Stones, Broken Bones
Published on Wednesday, 22 June 2011
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The Thistle Hotel (venue website)
Comedy
7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 May, 1:30pm-3:30pm, 8:30pm-10:30pm; 10-13, 17-20, 24-27 May, 8:30pm-10:30pm

 Family-friendly. Suitable for all ages.

Have you ever laughed yourself silly as an Austin 1100 gets a damn good thrashing?  Of course you have.  For many of us, Fawlty Towers is the defining British sit-com… and now, you can have your very own meal in a certain Torquay dining room.

The Aussie-based Interactive Theatre Company have been doing this dinner-show for years, but the passage of time hasn’t diminished its appeal.  Yes, they spell the names a little differently, but the characters are those we know and love.  Basil’s a volcano of constant exasperation, Sybil rises coolly above her husband’s antics, and Manuel... poor Manuel just doesn’t get it at all.

When we caught the show in Edinburgh last year, all three actors delighted us with their faithful characterization, while their improvised riffs augmented the TV material with plenty of creativity of their own.  The plot’s wafer-thin, but the gags are to treasure; and nods to the best-known episodes ran throughout the night.

But now for the bad news: tickets weigh in at a whacking £43 (or £38 at lunchtime).  At that price, we certainly hope the meal’s a bit more filling than Basil’s duck surprise.  Still, it’s a two-hour show, and this popular group consistently sells out... so if a stay at Faulty Towers tickles your fancy, don’t wait too long to check in.

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