The Germans are coming to Riccall
The cast of Fawlty Towers, (L-R ) Prunella Scales as Sybil, John Cleese as Basil, Connie Booth as Polly and Andrew Sachs as Manuel.
A FARCE inspired by hit 1970s comedy drama Fawlty Towers will be shown over the next three nights by the Riccallish Allsorts.
Loosely advertised as The Germans Are Coming, the local drama group says it is looking forward to its production of Fawlty Towers based on the television show originally featuring John Cleese, Prunella Scales and Andrew Sachs (TV cast pictured).
Riccallish Allsorts member Ken Davison said: “Lines were pretty well learnt, the set was ready, and the big van was booked. Then came the news that some family friends from Germany were coming to see the show.
“This begged the obvious question – have the Germans ever seen Fawlty Towers on TV?”
“No, I don’t think so,” said cast member Linda Cartwright, “but they’re really broadminded and don’t take offence.”
“Having some Germans in the audience won’t be a problem, and will definitely spice up proceedings,” said director Ken Davison.
“The famous scene where Basil entertains some Germans in the hotel lounge probably reflects more badly on the British than the Germans – and we Brits do like to laugh at ourselves.
‘We’re really pleased to have got the rights for this show. We saw that they were being made available for amateur groups at the end of last year, and we’re one of the first to present an amateur version of Fawlty Towers.”
Ken, who has adapted the television scripts for these stage performances, added: “At the back of our minds we know we’re dealing with a classic – much as what happened with ‘Allo Allo’, which went down really well. We’re giving it the same treatment, making sure it works well in the space that we’ve got, and that it will be a really good night out.”
He further added: “We have to put the names of the authors on the poster, and we’ve had a few people who’ve looked at it and said ‘so is John Cleese coming?’. I’m relieved to say he’s not – it would probably be more intimidating for the cast having him watching than a few Germans!”
Fawlty Towers is on tonight, tomorrow and Saturday at Riccall Regen Centre at 7.30pm. All seats are £6 and are available from Riccall Regen on 01757 248849.
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Weather for Selby
Sunday 19 May 2013
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