U&GOLD Slates Fawlty Towers: The Play

U&GOLD has landed the rights to Fawlty Towers: The Play, recorded at the West End, for broadcast in September to mark the 50th anniversary of the beloved sitcom’s first episode.

Penned by John Cleese, the production features three classic episodes—”The Hotel Inspector,” “The Germans” and “Communication Problems.” It opened in the West End in May 2024 and is set to tour the U.K. and Ireland later this year. This recording for U&GOLD is produced by Phil McIntyre Television. The play stars Adam Jackson-Smith as Basil, Anna-Jane Casey as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham as Manuel and Victoria Fox as Polly.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to Fawlty Towers: The Play since its debut in the West End and it’s a pleasure to hear U&GOLD will be bringing it straight to everyone’s living rooms just in time for the 50th anniversary,” Cleese said.

Gerald Casey, director of programming, comedy and entertainment at UKTV, said, “Fawlty Towers is a cornerstone of British comedy, and we’re honoured to be the first place TV audiences can watch this new stage version to mark the show’s 50th anniversary. With the legendary John Cleese at the helm, U&GOLD viewers are really in for something special.”

Mark Iddon, senior commissioning editor at UKTV, added: “Fawlty Towers has been making generations of viewers laugh for 50 years and this new stage reimagining is a wonderful way to honor the original series.”