Prepare yourself for two hours of unexpected, fully immersive and highly improvised comedy at Faulty Towers The Dining Experience in London's West End. Set in a specially devised Torquay Suite Theatre at the 4-star Amba Hotel Charing Cross, this unique show pays homage to the popular British sitcom ‘Fawlty Towers.' Check in to the theater, be shown to your seat by Basil, Sybil and Manuel, then try not to laugh yourself silly as they serve a 1970s-inspired 3-course lunch or dinner. Expect shocking service, hilarious improvisations and sidesplitting theatrical scenes throughout this interactive and rip-roaringly fun dining experience that has won international acclaim. Please note that as of May 1, the venue will be changed to the Kingsway Hall Hotel in Covent Garden.
Make your own way to the Torquay Suite Theatre at the Amba Hotel Charing Cross to begin your unique show and dining experience. Set in the grand 4-star splendor of this Victorian city hotel, this once-in-a-lifetime dining experience is an affectionate homage to the hit 1970s British sitcom Fawlty Towers, written by John Cleese and Connie Booth.
After ‘checking in,’ perhaps head to Basil's bar to enjoy a pre-dinner drink (own expense) as you wait for the fun to start. Chuckle in amusement as you watch the hotel proprietor, Basil Faulty, rush around greeting guests, and hear Sybil’s shrill cries of “BAS-IL!” bouncing off of the walls while Manuel tries to serve the nuts.
Take your seat as Basil frantically ushers everyone to their places at one of the shared tables, and prepare to laugh yourself silly during what is likely to be one of the most comical lunch or dinner experiences you have ever had.
With only a third of the show scripted, no two dining experiences are ever the same. And with Basil, Sybil and Manuel acting as the waiting staff, expect everything but ‘good’ service. In true Fawlty Towers form, everything that can go wrong, will go wrong — hilariously so.
During the 2-hour experience, dine on a 1970s-inspired 3-course meal consisting of dishes such as spiced carrot and fennel soup, and chicken with tarragon mash and vegetables. Before and during the meal, watch as Basil, Sybil and Manuel wander between tables, mingling with diners and loosely recreating some classic, not to mention hysterical, scenes from the TV show.
With a full stomach and a smile spread across your face, your experience concludes when you ‘check out’ of the Torquay Suite Theatre.
Please note: as of May 1, the venue will be changed to the Kingsway Hall Hotel in Covent Garden.
We laughed lots and thought the actors were very true to the original. They worked hard to involve everyone at some point during the evening and made everyone feel included. I have recommended it to friends already.
Review by: Nicholas W, October 2017
Hilarious and amusing night. Would highly recommend. In fact I have recommended and people have arranged corporate dinners and nights out. And always fed back that they loved it
Review by: gwen g, October 2017
We were the only Americans and I don’t think we could appreciate the humor, but the Brits there LOVED it so it fun watching them. _br/_ Food very mediocre
Review by: Matt, September 2017
The show was hilarious the whole time. The only downfall was a meal that at bear was average but we still enjoyed the experience
Review by: Glen M, September 2017
Excellent experience if you are a hard core Faulty Towers fan, otherwise most references will be lost on you. Acting was excellent, it seemed like everyone got some attention. Food was rather mediocre but acceptable.
Review by: Paolo C, September 2017
Absolutely hilarious
Review by: Hessel Z, September 2017
Loved it, funny, something totally different. One of the highlights of my holiday in London in 2016.
Review by: JULIA K, September 2017
We had a great night out full of laughter. Good birthday treat and more fun than just going out for a meal.
Review by: Christina T, September 2017
Attending Fawlty Towers felt so realistic. Audience participation was wonderful
Review by: Beatriz D, September 2017
Exhilarating! Absolutely enjoyable! We laughed till our belly ached. The menu was good. We shared the table with other people that were good company.
Review by: Suzy S, August 2017
Whether you're a fan of the show or never saw it before, you'll love this dining experience. Be prepared to become a part of the show. The actors were spot on and the food was even good.
Review by: budgettraveler8, July 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Etienne, July 2017
Absolutely amazing. The actors had every nuance perfected. From hand gestures, to tonal inflections they had me believing I was in Basil's hotel. _br/_ The mini stories were combined with the dinner perfectly. _br/_ Service was rude and abrupt as expected!_br/_ I would imagine that if you haven't seen the TV show you may not enjoy this as much.
Review by: Cynthia P, June 2017
The show was wonderful: well done and hilarious! The food was weak at best.
Review by: Mary O, June 2017
It's been a long time since Fawlty Towers was on TV but we have long memories! I booked this experience for my husband and I and I didn't really tell him what it entailed double the fun for me!
Review by: kjywyllie, May 2017
My father and I are both huge fans of the show, so we were both delighted at how accurate the portrayals of Basil/Sybil/Manuel were to their real life counterparts John Cleese/Prunella Scales/Andrew Sachs. We joked that the thearte is called Faulty Towers to avoid copyright claims with the actual name of the show being Fawlty Towers... Of the three actors, I'd have to say that the lady playing Sybil came across as the most realistic, followed by the man who played Manuel, and then Basil. However, I must commend the young man who played Basil, as he was completely in character e.g. when my father asked Basil where he is from, he incredulously responded Swanage, which is Basil's hometown as revealed only once in passing by Manuel in the Communications Problems episode...you would have to have seen all episodes multiple times to recall that!. The meal was fine, and the acting was top notch! Highly recommended for any fan of Fawlty Towers!
Review by: James S, May 2017
We thoroughly enjoyed this dinner show. It was in a smaller venue than normal but that made it more personal. Laughed a lot and the meal was quite good also. Highly recommend this show if your time allows.
Review by: barcat, May 2017
If you're a fan of the TV show you would love this! Food was adequate but not outstanding but that's not why you go to this--entertainment was stellar and so much fun!
Review by: JImmy, April 2017
A really fine experience! We had a few problems with the language dialect Sybil, but understood enough to have a great time!
Review by: viaje, March 2017
Excellent show! Great food...very engaging group of actors!
Review by: Thierry D, March 2017
Very bad experience. I didn and #39;t expect this kind of show. The humor was absent, there was no scenario, no story. The characters had no personality. Many Americans attended the show and loved it, because the play didn and #39;t require to use a brain. Perfect for them. I and #39;d expected something a bit more celebral.
Review by: Debbie D, March 2017
We went yesterday lunchtime at the amba hotel in London ...had a great time food was not the highest standard but you go for the show not the food we had something to eat before we went in which helped.. having laughed so much for a long time..felt the barman was slightly swamped to begin with and had quite a queue and no plain cider at the bar but once in he did a great job ...actors were great and in character at all times .well worth it .
Review by: heym1, March 2017
This was very fun. Great actors!
Review by: Ann F, February 2017
A great experience. We all enjoyed the acting and food. Shame Polly had not be there
Review by: Candice M, February 2017
We had a great time, much better than I had thought. The lunch was really nice, the entertainment was non stop, witty, lively and the actors really embraced their iconic roles. What a lovely way to spend a wet Sunday afternoon. If you loved Fawlty Towers you will love this.
Review by: Linda T, January 2017
It was quite funny the actors played their parts well, enjoyed the atmosphere which was authentic and enjoyable. Food was ok. Drinks extremely expensive but that's what you expect in a London hotel. Staff were all very polite and helpful.
Review by: KL1NGON, January 2017
Spot-on acting and comedic timing brings the dysfunctional staff of Fawlty Towers absolutely to life. Taking place upstairs in the Amba Hotel at Charing Cross, it's easy to get to from anywhere in London and the bar next to the theater opens early. There are also the complimentary drinks in the Faulty Towers Bar which doubles a cloak-room, and this is where the show actually begins. There isn't a dress code but be aware that if you dress too casually as I apparently did, Basil is sure to make you the butt of his sarcastic humor before the show moves to the dining room. Once he gets you in his sights, and you prove clever and a good sport, he will return to you time and time again. Basil and Manuel work the room continuously, creating one mushrooming mishap after another and involving everyone in the act, sometimes to their dismay. Sybil acts to change the energy between all of the classic skits and excels as the foil for Basil, who is obviously terrified of her steely gaze, shrill voice and snorting laugh. Food and drink flow freely, sometimes ending up on the guest, but it's all great fun and the crowd we attended with laughed uproariously throughout the performance. The food was entirely acceptable, especially for such a show, but the entertainment provided was unparalleled in it's execution and these actors deserve much credit for their performances.
Review by: catepearton, January 2017
The actual show was great, although booked through Viator and our names were not on the list when we got there so we nearly lost out. Luckily the actual cast managed to accommodate us. Very funny. We had 3 generations with us and all would like to go again
Review by: Yigal L, January 2017
I dont want to spoil any jokes, but this was a very funny evening, with all actors wonderfully bringing to life a typical disasterous dinner in fawlty towers. The food is also fine! If there is a vagatarian around you will get some special attention from Basil...
Review by: Samantha G, December 2016
The actors were very good and made sure that they covered all the tables and involved guests in their performance_br/_ As a vegetarian, the food was a let down, I didn't eat any of it. Worked out be a very expensive afternoon.
Review by: joedelligatti90, December 2016
Contrary to previous reviews, the food was good, perhaps because of complaints. The beverages were overpriced, being London and in a good hotel. The absence of Polly is a down side, hopefully to be remedied.
Review by: Melvin S, December 2016
Great show meal was good drinks Very expensive
Review by: Christina G, December 2016
Hilarious from start to finish, great actors and the 70's style dinner was very good.
Review by: Fatboy153, December 2016
Real scream Basil, Sybil and Manuel in top form they all worked very hard and it was an excellent Birthday surprise !!
Review by: Ross, December 2016
During my annual trip from the US to England last year I went to see the Faulty Towers Dinner Show. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to go again this year, however, this time I took a niece and her husband. They come down to London for a day visit and this made a great venue. This is a fantastic must see show.
Review by: fredharrisonartist, December 2016
the cast were superb and brought Fawlty Towers to life. We all cheered their final bows.
Review by: Tania P, November 2016
A must for any faulty towers fan, very funny
Review by: Maxine E, November 2016
Very very fun. We enjoyed it. Food wasn't that great though
Review by: Francine, November 2016
Excellent experience, even for a solo traveller. My table partners were not particularly fun to be with but with all the chaos from Basil and Manuel it didn't matter. I enjoyed the experience and the food. It's a lovely setting for the dinner and I would certainly recommend other travellers to give it a go.
Review by: Trevor Raymond K, November 2016
This was an excellent night and very enjoyable. I would highly recommend to anybody who had seen the series as it is very much based on the TV series. Brilliant!
Review by: Roxanne W, November 2016
Actors were fabulous but the food wasn't great
Review by: Angela G, November 2016
Really fun night out, actors were amazing _br/_ Food was standard but hot, well cooked and filling._br/_ It really was as bizarre as the TVs series and would definitely go again
Review by: Joan V, October 2016
An hilarious dinner. It is in a lovely hotel so wear something nice. The dinner was delicious. What fun.
Review by: Cheryl W, September 2016
Great fun and the food wasn't bad either!
Review by: Frances H, September 2016
The crew put in a lot of effort with thier mannerisms, especially Basil and Sybil though Manel's ak wasn't easy. It' fun to join in and give as good as you get. Don't go for the food. That's more of a prop. You are going for the show. My ticket said it started at 7.30 but it doesn't really start until at least 8pm so you hang around in the expensive bar for a bit.
Review by: Julia B, September 2016
Very fun evening! Be prepared to become part of the show. :
Review by: Susan Denise O, September 2016
This is a wonderful way to spend an evening in London if one is a John Cleese / Faulty Towers fan! The actor who played Manuel the evening I attended the show was excellent!
Review by: Jacobus C, August 2016
Brilliant!! 4 of us went and it was a constant laugh! I would highly recommend this to anyone who has ever seen faulty towers!
Review by: Sarit, August 2016
This was a really funny experience. I thought that my husband would hate it, but he liked it more than I did. We are vegetarians and they were able to accommodate our diet needs which made us very happy.
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