In theatre, few performances demand actors to be steeped in such a specific, painstakingly precise repertoire of movements and inflections.
But then, Fawlty Towers is not your usual cup of tea.
Each and every recurring comedic character – and several of the walk-ons – seemingly begs to be played just as seen in the iconic BBC television series, penned by Monty Python alum John Cleese (who originated Basil Fawlty) and co-conspirator Connie Booth.
And Metro Theatre’s production of Fawlty Towers, held over until next week, fits that bill. Yes, to a T.
That only 12 episodes were ever filmed of Fawlty Towers might surprise some. Indeed, that Metro performs three ‘acts’ over a two-hour period means Vancouver audiences see a quarter of the catalog in a single night out.
For those who don’t remember the 1970s television programme – named repeatedly as one of the best sitcoms ever produced – it told, over two farcical, door-slamming series four years apart, the exploits of two hoteliers, their long-suffering staff, the hotel mainstays and parade of house guests.
Inspired by a visit by the Pythons to a real hotel in Torquay, Cleese described his Basil’s basis as “the rudest man I’ve ever come across in my life.”
Our Fawlty’s cast – directed by Alison Schamberger – is up for the job of replicating what we’ve seen on the veddy British small screen.
The four leads – Chris Dellinger’s class-conscious Basil Fawlty, Martha Ainsfield-Scrase’s viper-tongued wife Sybil, Jill Raymond’s loyal-to-a-fault maid Polly and Tom Kavadias’s Barcelona-import Manuel – share every nuance, every aside as their small-screen counterparts. Indeed, Dellinger’s delivery is even in step with nearly the silliest of Cleese’s long-gaited walks.
Two familiar faces from White Rock Players Club shows make the trek to Vancouver to add to the fun. Gerard Ponsford (as the forgetful Major Gowan) and Patte Rust (as the dotty Miss Tibbs) both capture the deliveries of the Fawltys’ permanent house guests.
Other standouts in the talented, multi-roled cast include Nina Shoroplova’s turn as selectively deaf Mrs. Richards, and Paul Fisher as Mr. O’Reilly, a happy-go-lucky Irish builder who likely never met a personality he couldn’t charm… until Sybil.
The live performance is so close to the videotaped one, there are just two notable elements that set it apart – the set and the speed.
Vancouver’s set (designed by Sara Weber) is, quite simply, a joy to be seen in amateur theatre. It has multiple levels – complete with a hotel suite nearly to the rafters – and looks like it was built more interestingly and far stronger than the BBC original, which perceptive viewers will remember wobbled with every door slam or, even, nudge.
The speed is a more critical concern, as the aforementioned door-slams are an integral part of the original farce, and such a story requires high energy and even higher tempo.
This cast has the vivacity, but could use about 10 per cent more velocity.
All in all, however, a forgivable speed bump for such a faithful retelling.
Fawlty Towers in on stage until Feb. 7 at Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Dr., Vancouver – www.metrotheatre.com
