Fawlty Towers experience at Weymouth hotel (From Dorset Echo)

Fawlty Towers experience at Weymouth hotel

10:00am Saturday 9th February 2013 in News By Catherine Bolado

A Weymouth hotel has taken inspiration from a well-loved TV show to create a ‘Fawlty’ experience.

The Richmoor Hotel on the Esplanade has been booking in the laughs and cooking up a storm by taking inspiration from TV show Fawlty Towers.

Guests have been treated to a hotel stay and dining experience with a little something different – from a ‘health inspector’ talking to ‘Basil’ about the state of his hotel, to ‘Sybil’ and ‘Polly’ trying to keep everything running smoothly and ‘Manuel’ trying to find his escaped pet rat.

The skits are all part of a light-hearted weekend break or dining experience. The ‘staff’ said they took inspiration from moments and characters of the popular show and ‘ran away’ with them.

The Echo was shown one of the scenarios the staff performed where they got one diner, Nick Bourne, to pretend to be a health inspector and ‘Basil’ and ‘Sybil’ tried to sort everything out – while diners clapped and laughed along.

Owner of the hotel Loraine Godwin, who plays ‘Sybil,’ said that visitors and guests loved the idea and people had left comments saying what a great time they had.

She said: “It’s hard work but it’s such fun.”

She said she had been thinking about doing a theme weekend for years when a friend put her in touch with Andy Hillier, from Bristol, and the pair chatted about it.

Mrs Godwin said her friend told her Mr Hillier was a ‘real John Cleese character’ and that if he ever ‘let loose’ in a hotel it would be like Fawlty Towers.

Mrs Godwin said: “He can be very over the top.”

Mr Hillier joked he was ‘press ganged’ into playing ‘Basil,’ and said it was great fun interacting with the guests and other ‘characters.’ He said: “It takes on a life of its own – people expect the outrageous.”

He added: “People love to have fun.”

Audience participation is actively encouraged and a sense of humour is a must.

The pair, who are now a couple, said they had only done a few themed weekends but they had gone well and everyone had enjoyed themselves.

To find out more call 01305 773435 or visit richmoorhotel.com.