Fawlty Towers Takes on Queenstown
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience will take over QT in November, bringing the much-loved sitcom to life. The highly-improvised, interactive and fully-immersive performance includes dinner and a show, plus you will have a role, not just as an audience member but as a highly-esteemed guest of Basil, Sybil and Manuel.
Monique Lewis Reynolds has been playing Sybil, Basil Fawlty’s long-suffering wife, in the Faulty Towers Dining Experience for ten years now. She grew up watching the show with her grandparents, “a Friday night staple,” and loves that the show can still bring so much joy to people, even after all this time.
“I never would have imagined that I would eventually play such an iconic role as Sybil, but if you ask my husband, he will tell you I was born to play the role,” Lewis Reynolds says. “Who doesn't love the underdog Manuel, trying to win favour with his master Basil, and the brow beaten Basil trying to maintain some control over his sharp-tongued, no-nonsense wife.”
She acts alongside Kieran Clancy-Lowe, who brings all of Basil's mania and cynicism to the role, and John Darge, who totally embodies all of Manuel’s misunderstandings. Describing the audience as “the fourth actor,” they all need to be totally in the moment and as they’re kept on their toes through different interactions.
“Unlike a stage show where the actors are removed from the audience, our interactive show gives you an instant reaction to how the audience is loving it all.”
Much of the feedback they receive is that audience members haven’t laughed that hard in many years. There’s been some memorable moments over the years – a few marriage proposals – but one moment stands out.
“We had a special Valentine's shout out that when you emailed in, Sybil would do a special shout out to your Valentine on the night. I started chatting with the guy who had emailed in, asking to tell me all about his wonderful wife and why he had messaged us. She was sitting there getting all emotional, telling us that in 20 years of marriage he had never done anything romantic like this before and how happy she was. Then suddenly she turns to him and says 'are you having an affair?'. The poor guy was so shocked and flustered and of course said no but the whole room burst out laughing, including myself, because she had gone from thrilled and teary to suspicious in a matter of seconds. It was a gold comedy moment. I don't he will ever make a grand romantic gesture in public again.”
The crew love working the room and Lewis Reynolds explains that the show is funny for all – if you’re a die-hard fan there are plenty of favourite moments and laughs. And if you’ve never seen the show, the comedy and relationship dramas with the actors will have you laughing – you’re sure to head home and watch a few episodes. Next year marks 30 years for the show, a milestone that they’re excited to celebrate.
“It is amazing to know that we have been bringing this hugely successful production to audiences all around the world for that length of time and it is fantastic that we are busier than ever.”
The Faulty Towers Dining Experience will be at QT Queenstown from Wednesday, 11 – Friday, 13 November. Tickets include a three-course dinner and two-hour interactive show. For more info and to book head to faultytowersnz.com
