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The actor trying to mirror the talent of British comic genius John Cleese this week on stage hopes his bathroom antics will help him capture the essence of iconic TV character Basil Fawlty.

Bahrain teacher Rory Adamson is playing the goose-stepping, waiter-bashing, barmy hotelier from the legendary TV sitcom Fawlty Towers.

In preparation for his role, Rory, 45, has watched Fawlty Towers DVDs countless times and has been practising his facial expressions to ensure he delivers the best Basil impression possible. “I have watched the two episodes we will be performing many times and each time I find more clever intonations, looks or accents. They are easy to miss on their own but put together they are what make John Cleese’s performances so brilliant.

“My bathroom mirror has also had to put up with some very strange looks over the last six weeks.”

Fawlty Towers, considered by critics to be one of the best British television sitcom’s ever made, is the latest offering from the Manama Theatre Club.

The production opened last night at the British Club in Adliya where the cast entertained a full house with a stage production of the TV show.

Fawlty Towers was written by John Cleese and his then wife Connie Booth, both of whom played major characters in the series which was inspired by the rude behaviour of the proprietor of a hotel in the UK.

Taking the leading role as snobby and misanthropic hotelier Basil has proved to be a challenging task for Rory, an economics and business studies teacher at the British School of Bahrain.

Rory added: “I think the script stands up for itself but none of us who have watched the original can ever forget the brilliant delivery by John Cleese.”

Initially, Rory was a little apprehensive to take the lead and considered putting his name forward for a minor role instead. However, after reading the script he quickly changed his mind.

“When I read the lines at the audition, I was reminded how incredibly funny they were. How could anyone turn down the opportunity to play Basil?”

Although the 1975 sitcom comprised of just 12 episodes, they have withstood the test of time and remain popular around the globe. Rory attributes this to the quality of the scripts.

“You can watch them time and time again and never get bored. When you look at the scripts closely you realise how clever they are,” he said.

Rory’s acting background in Bahrain stretches back to 1995 but his love for performance was cemented during his university days back in the UK. “When I was studying I was lucky enough to work for a company in London which staged annual pantomimes at one of London’s theatres for under-privileged children. 

“It was very rewarding to be able to take those children away from their difficult lives for one evening and see their faces as we gave them all presents at the end of the show.”

Fans of the iconic TV sitcom are promised a nostalgic trip down memory lane with lots of laughs and those who are unfamiliar with the show will be offered a glimpse at the best of British comedy.

The production also stars Joanna Pacoe as Sybil Fawlty, Rupert Copeman-Hill as confused Spanish bellboy Manuel, Mike Eddison as the Major, Palmyra Mattner as Polly, David Hollywood as Mr Hamilton and Anne Koheeji as Mrs Roberts.

l The show runs until Friday. Tonight the curtains come up at 8pm with theatre-style seating. Tickets cost BD5 for members and BD7 for non-members. Performances on Thursday and Friday are dinner-theatre nights with a buffet opening at 7.30pm and curtains go up at 8.30pm. Tickets are BD10 for members and BD12 for non-members. A 5pm matinee performance will be held on Friday for children.