Latest news with #FawltyTowers–ThePlay
Wales Online
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Helen Lederer says 'I don't know what that means' and rules out retirement
Helen Lederer says 'I don't know what that means' and rules out retirement The 70-year-old comedian has joined the cast of Fawlty Towers – The Play in London's West End Helen Lederer (Image: ITV ) Helen Lederer has no plans to retire. The 70-year-old comedian has joined the cast of Fawlty Towers – The Play in London's West End and explained that she intends to carry on working for years to come. In an interview with the Metro newspaper, Helen said: "I don't know what that means. In Fawlty Towers, my co-star Paul Nicholas is marginally older than me, and he's amazing. If you've got it in the brain, and in the body, then you just do it." Helen is playing the demanding hotel guest Mrs Richards in the theatre production based on John Cleese's iconic sitcom and describes it as "liberating" to play a character who is vastly different from her. She said: "It's actually liberating to be such a cow because I've spent all my professional life trying to please people and beg for jobs, with all the obsequiousness that goes with showbiz." The Absolutely Fabulous star's attempts to land her own sitcom were never successful and she says that the frustration was at the heart of her memoir Not That I'm Bitter, which was published last year. Article continues below Lederer explained: "I put everything in because I'm that kind of person. The book is a window into how I navigated that world and my own family history. "Hopefully, it's funny, but it's funny because it's truthful. When people just list their successes, it's not that funny. I think you've got to have the dark stuff to connect." Cleese has often bemoaned the current state of British comedy but Helen has a far more optimistic outlook. She said: "I think new comedy is very exciting and I embrace how comedy moves and reflects the society we're in now. I'm not a person who despairs." Helen also believes that Fawlty Towers has stood the test of time, even though it aired back in the 1970s. The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant explained: "What's fascinating about it now is that I don't think it has aged and that's so unique when you think about a piece of comedy. Article continues below "It's about class and pretension, and all the stuff that still makes British people laugh – because we're so class aware, even though we say we're not." Helen appeared on the BBC series Pilgrimage earlier this year and explained how she bonded with The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness and The Traitors winner Harry Clark despite their differing life experiences. She said: "You can forget about age and background. The liberation of connecting with other people and finding things in common, is irreplaceable."
Telegraph
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
5 best comedy theatre shows in London 2025
You're spoiled for choice when it comes to the best comedy shows in London, thanks to the wide range of fantastic productions – from long-running favourites to topical new entries. Whether you're on the hunt for side-splitting slapstick, razor-sharp satire or family fun, there's something to suit all tastes in the West End. You can find all the latest London comedy plays in our round-up of the best London shows, plus productions that are particularly good for young audiences in our best family shows piece, as well as top picks below that include reviews by the Telegraph's expert critics. These brilliant rib-ticklers are guaranteed to give you a big laugh, and a great night out. So, follow our guide and get booking now for the best London comedy plays and musicals in 2025. Mrs Doubtfire, Shaftesbury Theatre In a nutshell: Fans of the classic film comedy starring Robin Williams can't miss this hysterical, but also kind-hearted, musical adaptation, which turns everyone's favourite Scottish nanny into a West End sensation. When Daniel, a well-meaning but perennially out-of-work actor, loses his children in a divorce, he becomes Mrs Doubtfire – but keeping the secret is his toughest job yet. This lovely child-friendly production adds creative musical numbers to a witty script, including all the best movie scenes, while also reassuring kids that all families look different. 'Fear not, dearies – this exuberant show is still one of the biggest treats in the West End... Gabriel Vick is on fire in his utterly astonishing tour-de-force performance.' Read the full review of Mrs Doubtfire Booking until: April 26 2025 The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre In a nutshell: If you want to end up crying with laughter, you need to make a bee-line for Mischief's world-conquering smash-hit comedy. The show is celebrating its 10th glorious year in the West End, and it's not hard to see why: this irresistible farce is precision-tooled entertainment. Join the hapless members of an unfortunate amateur dramatics society who are trying to stage a country-house murder mystery – even as everything goes hilariously wrong, from forgotten dialogue and missed cues to prop mishaps, crazy accidents, and the whole set collapsing around them. 'Seldom has disaster delivered so many belly laughs... This spoof am-dram staging of an Agatha Christie whodunit is the perfect recipe for absurd slapstick.' Booking until: February 1 2026 Book tickets via Telegraph tickets Fawlty Towers – The Play, Apollo Theatre In a nutshell: Just when you thought it was safe to book into the hotel, Basil Fawlty and gang are back! Yes, John Cleese has adapted one of the best sitcoms of all time (which he co-created with Connie Booth) into a deliriously funny new stage comedy. It serves up three brilliant TV episodes – Hotel Inspectors, Communication Problems, and The Germans – as one amazing show, and all your favourite characters are checking in too: of course, there's Basil's wife Sybil, waiter Manuel, chambermaid Polly, and guests like the Major. Don't mention the war... 'An indisputably funny evening of mistaken identity, furtive horse-betting and flagrant Teuton-baiting... Wall-to-wall nostalgia and copper-bottomed mirth.' Booking resumes: June 24 until September 13 2025 The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre In a nutshell: You couldn't write it now! This totally outrageous, and totally hysterical, musical satire is from the genius minds of South Park's Trey Parker and Matt Stone, teaming up with Oscar-winning composer Robert Lopez (Avenue Q, Frozen) to make fun of the Mormon church, and plenty else besides. It's equal-opportunities fun, with a cartoon energy, lightning-fast jokes, unbelievable songs, and a sweet core celebrating unlikely friendship as two mismatched missionaries try to convert a village in Uganda. Take this leap of faith – you won't regret it. 'This wild, thrilling, go-for-broke, genuinely hilarious musical comedy remains one of the funniest shows in the West End... I'm a believer!' Read the full review of The Book of Mormon Booking until: July 12 2025 Frequently asked questions What are the newest West End shows? One of the best things about London's buzzy West End is that there is always a new show to discover – whether you're catching up with a recent hit, or want to discover the very latest phenomenon. The first thing you should do is check out our constantly updated round-up of the best London shows, which features useful information and reviews for all the latest theatre openings. We've also got a handy list of the best family shows in London.
