John Cleese’s much-loved Fawlty Towers – The Play is landing at the Manchester Opera House next year and we cannot wait.
The critically acclaimed theatre adaptation of the iconic sitcom, still revered as one of the greatest UK comedies of all time, first came to fruition back in 2016 and is now set to land here in Manchester city centre for the first time ever.
We’ve been treated to Fawlty Towers The Dining Experience at The Lowry Theatre in Salford before, but this is the first time the smash-hit West End stage production has headed North and judging by the reviews, audiences are about to be belly-laughing all the way to Torquay.
Coming to Manc crowds this time next winter, you can expect this one to be a sell-out.
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Still busy playing a fully booked-up run at London’s Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, the twice-extended West End show is packing up its stage for a massive tour across the UK and Ireland.
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Announcing dozens of dates next year and well into the summer of 2026, including shows in Leeds, Liverpool, York, Stoke, Sunderland and many more, the show has earned four and five-star reviews from countless publications.
The Arts Desk have hailed it as a “comedy masterpiece [that] makes a seamless transition to the stage”, with actor Adam Jackson-Smith playing the lead role of Basil Fawlty and the entire cast said to leave viewers cackling with some of the best bits from iconic TV series recreated in the flesh.
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Speaking on the stage adaptation, John Cleese said: “When we came up with the idea of bringing Fawlty Towers to the stage, I never thought it would get the reception that it has.
“On 23 December it will be 50 years to the day since we recorded the pilot at BBC Television Centre and I’m delighted the audiences we’ve had in the West End still think it’s as funny as ever. The announcement of the tour means many more people will now have the chance to laugh themselves helpless.”
John Cleese, now 85.
Set to hit the road 50 years on from the broadcast of the first episode on BBC Two back in September 1975, before going on to win countless awards including two BAFTAS and even being voted the best British programme of all time as part of a British Film Institute poll, it all feels very full circle.
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Brought to life on stage by a creative team consisting of Cleese and fellow writer Connie Booth and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger – best known for her work on Blood Means Nothing (2019), My Week with Maisy (2024), Early Doors: Live (2021) and the Monty Python live show, there’s non-stop talent both on and off the stage.
One of the best part parts about a series that was stretched across just 12 half-hour episodes of TV is that you can just about manage to squeeze in the majority of the most memorable highlights into the approximately 1h50m run-time.
You can see the cast’s recent interview on This MorningHERE and for a short trailer for a better look at what to expect down below:
Fawlty Towers – The Play comes to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 and will be there until Saturday, 8 November.
General admission is live as we speak, with ticket options starting from £20 and going all the way up to £147.50 for the best premium seats and experience in the house.
Review | Midsomer Murders comes to Manchester for a satisfying Opera House adaptation
Hollie Wells
‘The Fuzz are here!’ – also known as the well-known duo, Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby and Detective Sergeant Troy. As ever, they’re here to solve the murder of orchid-loving, elderly lady Emily Simpson in the seemingly sleepy county of Midsomer…
Manchester’s historic Opera House played host to the first ever stage production of Midsomer Murders: ‘The Killings at Badger’s Drift‘ last night.
With a busy, full audience of fans of the original novel by Catherine Graham and the acclaimed ITV staple. There was a hum of anticipation to see the timeless tales unfold.
Excitingly, the role of Barnaby in the stage play is under the trusted care of Daniel Casey, who is best known as DS (Detective Sergeant) Troy in the prior television adaptation of Midsomer Murders between 1997 and 2008.
Casey’s comfort and wealth of experience with these narratives comforted the audience from the outset. In a purposely complicated plot, Casey grounded the performance and was the throughline in the show.
‘The Killings at Badger’s Drift’ is a good, light-hearted, mid-week show, with an enjoyable concoction of eccentric characters and the perfect ‘whodunnit’ plot, which keeps you intrigued and entertained throughout its roughly two and a half hour duration.
Even those more than familiar with Misdomer tales and the most typical murder mystery format will still get plenty of enjoyment out of it.
The engaging use of multi-role actors received a great response from the audience, particularly the moments between Barbara Lessiter and Dickie Whitley; all of their interactions were performed with fabulous comedic timing by Chandrika Chevli.
The elements of comedy throughout made for a lovely evening at the Opera House. This was not solely through the actors, either: the use of mechanics within the set of this stage-play allowed for multiple moments of physical comedy, and this was a strong motif throughout.
A rotation of impressive transitional sets also aided in transporting the audience to the infamous village and crime scenes, allowing one to be absorbed in the story and successfully converting Midsomer Murders from page to screen to stage.
Running for only three days from Wednesday, 27, until Saturday, 30 May 2026, with matinee shows available throughout.
One must act fast to join the detective duo and catch the killer before it’s too late!
Waitress at Palace Theatre Manchester – a perfect recipe for a delicious night out | Review
Clementine Hall
Waitress has all the ingredients for what makes a brilliant musical, with Carrie Hope Fletcher’s astonishing vocals as the cherry on top.
It’s been a decade since Waitress first wowed audiences on Broadway, and to celebrate this milestone, the show is touring the UK – bringing Sara Bareilles’ beautiful score to life once again.
This time, West End superstar Carrie Hope Fletcher is dusting off Jenna’s apron, and it’s safe to say, the beloved show is in very, very safe hands.
Waitress follows Jenna, a talented pie-maker working in a small town diner who is trapped in an abusive relationship.
Image: Matt Crocket (Supplied)
She dreams of a better life, and this only becomes more apparent when she finds out she is pregnant and falls in love with the charming Dr Pomatter (and after watching it last night, I think the whole audience did too).
Fletcher’s portrayal of Jenna is heartfelt and warm, yet perfectly powerful. Her vocals are nothing short of flawless, singing Bareilles’ glorious yet challenging score with ease.
Her rendition of ‘She Used To Be Mine‘ had us all reaching for tissues, and the round of applause that followed was the longest I’ve ever seen for a solo performance within a show.
Image: Matt Crocket (Supplied)
The opening number ‘Opening Up’ plunged us into her world, inviting the entire cast (of which there is no weak link) onto the stage for a exceptionally well-choreographed slice of diner dancing.
At drama school, we were told to never work with food on stage, but this production proved my lecturers wrong as clouds of flour and showerings of sugar were perfectly timed to the lyrics of ‘What Baking Can Do’. Impressive to say the least.
Jenna’s best friends Becky and Dawn, played by Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins, provided welcomed comedic timing in a story that often has its dark moments.
Image: Matt Crocket (Supplied)
Meanwhile, Mark Anderson brought a surprisingly tender charm to Ogie, balancing the character’s eccentricities with genuine heart.
His chemistry with Hoskins was utterly endearing, and their performance of ‘Never Ever Getting Rid of Me’ was one of the evening’s standout moments, earning huge laughs from the audience.
Visually, the show is a real treat too. The diner set feels cosy and intimate, while the live band gives Bareilles’ score an added richness that fills the theatre beautifully.
Image: Matt Crocket (Supplied)
Overall, Waitress remains as sweet as ever – a heartfelt story topped with a huge dollop of charm and a sprinkling of comedy that’ll have you craving another slice as soon as you’ve finished the first.
Danny Jones -
3rd December 2024 
