Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

On the menu at the Aegean Restaurant in Fitzroy this week are large helpings of physical humour, outrageously spicy political incorrectness, lashings of laughter, and a delicious 3-course meal to wash it all down. Who knew dining out could be such a chaotic adventure?

The fun begins pre-dinner as Basil Faulty (Rob Langston), Manuel (Andy Foreman) and Sybil (Karen Hamilton) mingle with guests by a tightly packed bar. The gait and mannerisms adopted by the cast throughout the evening are wonderfully comprehensive. Costumes are spot on, down to Basil’s tweed coat and facial expressions, Sybil’s outrageous eye makeup and vocal command, and Manuel’s puzzled brow and frantic hospitality.

Everyone is in-the-soup in this immersive theatre experience, whether they want to be or not, with the occasional need to duck for cover. The drama travels to each table with varying degrees of intensity. The effect is a gentle sense of community gradually binding the dining fraternity as the night proceeds. Be prepared for anything. With three-quarters of the show improvised anything could happen, and probably will.

The Aegean Restaurant is a gracious and comfortable venue in which there is no such thing as a bad seat (if you’re fortunate enough to retain yours). Pleasing gaps in the unfolding drama enable conversation with table companions. Happily the food belies the Faulty Towers reputation, and dietary preferences are accommodated.

Faulty Towers The Dining Experienceis immersive theatre definitely worth getting off the couch for. Get along if you possibly can and prepared for everything including the kitchen sink! Great frolicy fun for all ages.

Lucy Graham