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This is about as interactive as theatre gets, a dining experience with a difference. Basil, Sybil and Manuel are all there to greet the audience, seat them, then serve them a three-course meal while performing original sketches, improvised chatter and scenes inspired from the TV show.
The acting is exemplary, with Tony Nixon stealing the hearts of the audience with the victimised naivety that makes Manuel so special. Alison Pollard-Mansergh has the hardest job holding the role of Sybil, but gives a brilliant performance and proving a likable host. Nigel Bell is a scarily convincing Basil, stalking the restaurant, screaming at his guests to keep their elbows off the tables and ensuring that no one feels comfortable in his presence.
The proceedings have a chaotic feel, mimicking the mayhem from the sitcom, but it often feels as if it’s on the edge of disaster. Several of the guests, especially the Dutch party I was seated with, struggled to follow what is going on as the action moved up and down the restaurant.
The mood was marred when the comedy violence against Manuel went too far: Bell smashed Nixon on the face with a fire extinguisher, gashing his chin. It’s hardly comfortable eating while watching someone perform with blood pouring out of their face. It got worse when one of my poor Dutch dining partners had a jug of water accidentally spilled on him.
There is a fine line between acting like you are giving bad service and actually assaulting your customers, and this line was perilously close to being crossed several times.
This is not a show for people unfamiliar with the characters, but if you are a Fawlty fan then this is a good way to get up close to the goose-stepping nonsense
Reviewed by Corry Shaw
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