Since its debut in 1997, Faulty Towers The Dining Experience has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique blend of immersive theatre and comedy.
Created by Alison Pollard-Mansergh, Andrew Foreman, and others, the show offers diners a chaotic evening of laughter and surprises inspired by the beloved BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers. Combining interactive entertainment with a three-course meal, this comedic phenomenon has evolved into a global sensation, drawing over a million guests to its doors.
Audience members become diners at the Faulty Towers restaurant, where the hilariously dysfunctional trio of Basil, Sybil, and Manuel serve up a 1970s-style meal alongside a hearty helping of mayhem.
Unpredictable chaos keeps it fresh
What sets the production apart is its improvisational nature - 70% of the show is unscripted, ensuring that every performance is fresh and unpredictable. From the moment guests arrive, chaos reigns supreme as the characters engage with the audience, creating an unforgettable blend of comedy and theatre.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience has toured 43 countries, played in over 1,000 venues, and staged an average of 400 shows annually across the UK. It is now the longest-running immersive production in the West End, the longest-running Fawlty Towers adaptation worldwide, and the longest-running show inspired by a TV series in London’s theatre district.
What really sets this production apart is the “fresh comedic invention, riffing on ideas from the original TV series, then adding their own punchlines.”
British Comedy Guide
Producer, Jared Harford reflects on this remarkable journey: “When the show first began back in 1997, Alison thought it would only last a few months… but here we are, having toured 43 countries with plans to hopefully get number 44 over the line soon!
“None of this would have been possible without the incredible team behind the show… and our family of fabulous performers, who have travelled the globe over 28 years.”
How it started in the UK
The UK chapter of Faulty Towers The Dining Experience began in 2008 with an inaugural performance at The Hostess in Mansfield. Later that year, the show made its Edinburgh Fringe debut, becoming a perennial highlight of the festival. Its London run started modestly in 2009 with a sold-out weekend in Covent Garden.
By 2012, it had secured a residency at the Charing Cross Hotel (now the Amba Hotel Charing Cross), cementing its place in the West End.
In 2022, it celebrated its 25th anniversary and marked a decade in London.
Over the years, the production has welcomed notable guests, including Fawlty Towers’ own Andrew Sachs, tennis legend John McEnroe, and footballer Joe Cole. It has even staged unique performances in unconventional locations, such as the London Underground and the Royal Albert Hall.
Recent years have seen Faulty Towers The Dining Experience continue its record-breaking streak. In 2022, it celebrated its 25th anniversary and marked a decade in London.
Watch what to expect below…
The show’s success persists into 2025, with sell-out residencies across the UK and international dates in countries like Sweden, Ireland, and Norway.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience uses original scripts and format. It remains a loving tribute to a cultural icon, offering fans a chance to immerse themselves in the hilarity of the Fawlty Towers universe.
Tickets are available now at www.faultytowersdining.com. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this global comedy phenomenon!
