A unique dining experience

A week ago now, I received an invitation from Amy at Interactive Theatre International, to attend the opening night of 'Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience' as part of Brighton's Fringe Festival. Despite my pretensions of being a culture vulture, it is rare that I actually go and see anything as part of Brighton's annual Festival and quirky Fringe Festival.

On Thursday evening of last week, it was with great anticipation that I drove my lovely friend, Becka, and me, to Brighton's Thistle Hotel for an evening of food, entertainment and poor service.

I was a huge fan of the television series 'Fawlty Towers' as a child (although the production is very clear that it is not affiliated to the show in any way - hence the subtle spelling difference), and I was filled with nostalgia at the thought of experiencing some laugh-out-loud comedy treats.

The concept is a unique one: go to an hotel for a three-course meal, which happens to be served by 'Basil', 'Sybil' and 'Manuel', and become part of the inevitable chaos that surrounds them.

The experience starts during the pre-dinner drinks, with a confused Manuel throwing peanuts at guests, clearing the 'glasses' (removing people's specs), and Basil calling out the seating plan, accompanied by suitably acerbic comments - "Are you a magician?" to the man dressed in black shirt and black jeans.

The performance took place in the hotel's restaurant, and literally felt like we were featuring in the show itself. The chef had dropped his false teeth in the (delicious) tomato soup, bread rolls were launched at diners' heads, and I got chased around the room by Manuel and his pet 'rat': I was hysterical.

The characterisation was impressive: Basil had the look and the mannerisms; Manuel, the air of hapless and perpetual confusion; Sybil, the fantastically authentic hair, costume and make-up. For me, it was Sybil who stole the show; she was utterly convincing, with natural comic timing and the 'Sybil laugh' down to a tee.

The food was great, as was the background service from the actual hotel staff, and the experience was completely unique. I don't even think you'd have to be a fan of the original show to appreciate it. It took experiential theatre to a whole new level, and I'd be really interested to see what the company is going to come up with for next year.

Roll on May 2014...

PS. We were guests of 'Interactive Theatre International' but the views are 100% my own: loved it!