Happy June Faulty fans!

Summer is just around the corner in the UK, so in theory we can put umbrellas away and enjoy beautiful sunsets, barbecues and visits to the seaside. In theory. At time of writing, summer in London is colder than winter in Melbourne – but you get the idea!

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There’s just so much to do in June: music festivals start, summer solstice celebrations pop up, Wimbledon tennis to cheer… and coming to meet the Faultys, of course, at heaps of venues both Down Under and ‘Up Over’ (que?). We picked up Sybil’s calendar in the lost-and-found behind Manuel’s travel case, so you can see what she has to say about it all here…

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Australian Tour

Three festivals, three months in three states -what an adventure the Faulty team had around Australia! Karen Hamilton (Sybil), Benedict Holme (Basil) and Anthony Sottile (Manuel) started the tour in sunny Perth for the Fringe World festival.

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They didn’t hang around too long as it was 32 degrees Celsius (a moderately warm day for Perth) and Mrs Faulty kept complaining her face was melting off. They stayed in Perth at Rigby’s Bar and Bistro for just over 3 weeks- plenty of time for Sybil to make some new friends and Basil some enemies…

Next stop was the Adelaide Fringe Festival. The team were expecting sweltering heat but rather they had to go out and buy jumpers (yes, even the Brits!). The team had a wonderful time at the new venue spending just over a month at The Ambassadors Hotel. As per tradition, Karen left behind a signed gnome for the venue to cherish.


After a short break the team arrived in Melbourne for the International Comedy Festival. A city known for its culture and nightlife, here’s Mrs Faulty finding Basil and Manuel in the belly dancers dressing room – “Manuel put that down!”



With Easter fast approaching Mrs Faulty took Basil and Manuel shopping in the city. Basil was less than amused taking the tram…

The team proudly celebrated its 6th year at The Aegean Restaurant and the end of the tour with an Easter feast! Food and wine was enjoyed by all, but perhaps a little too much chocolate for Manuel!

After nearly 3 months interstate the whole team were happy to head back home! Here are some of my highlights from the tour: Mrs Faulty sporting golfing trousers, Manuel flirting with a married woman and Mr Faulty truly losing it! Until next year Fringe World, Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival- thanks for having us!

Jaya – Festivals Manager

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Warm ups and filming in Antwerp 2013…

We’re returning to Belgium at the beginning of March. This is a little bit of what happened behind the scenes last time we were in Antwerp…

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The Birth of a new Basil and Sybil

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 We recently welcomed Lara Dignam and Paul Geoghegan into the Aussie Faulty family. Having auditioned early in 2013, they rehearsed in March with our team at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Joined by long-standing company member Daley Donnelly (Manuel) and with artistic director Alison Pollard-Mansergh there too, they had their first performance in June at the Warwick Show & Rodeo Society Dinner in southern Queensland. This is what they said afterwards…

FT:       How were you feeling before your rehearsal on Friday? [the day before the Warwick show]

Paul:    I think my main concerns were hoping to impress Ali and to do a good job in general. I was also hoping to have a good rapport with Daley.

Lara:    Somewhat anxious!

FT:       And after your rehearsal?

Paul:    I was a bit brain dead. Learning and polishing in four hours what we covered in a week in Melbourne. When I got home I couldn’t think of a single thing I had done all day.

Lara:    Amazing what putting on the wig and frilly shirt does for your character development!

FT:       What was going through your mind on the drive to Warwick?

Paul:    I spent the two hour drive enjoying the scenery. And listening to select episodes of Fawlty Towers to get me in the spirit of things. When we got to Warwick, I found a coffee shop and had some quiet time having a good coffee and reading over the script one last time.

Lara:    I can’t believe the motel manager in Brisbane snubbed me because I’m in theatre and not on TV! I AM super important!!

FT:       First impressions when you got to the Warwick Rodeo?

Lara:    We were welcomed by seven year old twins wearing pink cowboy hats named Raven and Justice. It was a beautiful, peaceful area with friendly and eager people.

Paul:    The first ten minutes of the show felt awkward but once we got everyone seated I was on. Daley and I found some good comedy with the way Manuel had set the table. And then the night went by with nearly no hitches.

FT:       Were there any funny and/or frightening moments during your debut?

Paul:    I don’t care to admit one minor thing that happened!

Lara:    The moustache falling off (shouldn’t have bought the cheap glue Basil!).

FT:       The post-mortem?!

Paul:    Afterwards I felt good. Nothing was missed. No one got hurt. And everyone had a good time. For a debut performance, it was a good-sized audience to perform for. And performing with Lara and Daley was a delight. I can’t wait to perform with them again.

Lara:    Glad the first one is over and looking forward to the next one.

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Paul and Lara are now touring Australia.

For more information about our cast members, go to the Actors page on our website.
For show dates around the world, go to the Tickets page on our website.

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Introducing… Karen Hamilton

Karen Hamilton has been a Sybil in Faulty Towers The Dining Experience almost as long as the show’s existed! Here are some of her best moments and touring stories. If you think this is bad, you should see the videos…

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Q1: What’s your favourite part of working with Faulty Towers The Dining Experience so far or favourite Faulty moment?
A: My favourite part of working with ITI is the fabulously talented actors I get to work with. Favourite moment…hmmmm, the improvisation…one story…In Ireland at Mullingar, a gentleman keep standing through the first set piece. I only had to look at him, leave some silence and say “Hemorrhoids?”…and then wait 3 mins for laughter to die down.

Q2: Describe yourself in 3 words?
A: Outrageous, quick, shameless

Q3: What’s your best (or worst) corpsing story?
A: In Australia, Brisbane, Sybil entered to find Basil’s hand in Manuel’s jacket. “Basil what are you doing?” Basil “Ummm, I’m just checking Manuel’s angina.” Manuel: “But I’m a boy”. We all stood still and the audience laughed and tears of laughter ran down our faces but our faces stayed the same for about 5 mins. Sybil: “…right”

Q4: What similarities and differences are there between you and the character you play?
A: I have Sybil’s forthrightness & drink abilities myself but little else. As my son said in Edinburgh at the age of 10…”Mummy I’m so glad your not like her.”

Q5: If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?
A: A duck, or Chinese chicken. Happy to just pluck around all day.:)

Q6: Who’s your favourite other cast member to share a dressing room with and why?
A: Of the current cast…Andy Foreman. We always end up laughing. And we tend to be on the same twisted wavelength.

Q7: If your character had a dating profile, what do you think it would say?
A: Charming lovely English lady seeks wealthy Mediterranean gentleman. Will beat current husband to death in order to be available.

Q8: What was your last tweet or Facebook status?
A: Today I’m not aiming for fabulous just unique.

Q10: What don’t you leave home without?
A: Well the kids think I should wear a bra.

Q11: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: OH YES!

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Sunny Southport: June Tours Photos

Here are some photos from another of our UK June tours locations: Sunny Southport, where we played three Sold Out shows at The Atkinson.

Pulling faces for the camera are: Jack Baldwin, Ed Howells and Donna Gray (who kindly shared her photos with us).

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If you joined us in Southport this June send us in your photos, we’d love to see them!
Email: emma@faultytowers-uk.com
tweet: @thefaultytowers

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Beautiful Belper: June tours photos

Last Friday (14th June), one of our UK touring teams visited The Lion Pub With Rooms in Belper and enjoyed a fantastic performance with Donna Gray performing as Sybil, Jack Baldwin as Basil and Ed Howells as Manuel. The cast also got to explore the town  and took some lovely snaps in the sun for us!

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Welcome to Belper, Faultys!

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Jack and Ed contemplating the view!

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Stunning countryside

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Donna looking very glamorous in her shades.

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Squinting in the sunlight.

Photos courtesy of Donna Gray

Were you at the show in beautiful Belper? We’d love to see your photos and comments on our Facebook and Twitter!

Hopefully the sun keeps shining for the Faultys this summer! …Stay tuned for more UK touring photos.

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Making the Fish

Here are some snaps of Peter, the company Director, preparing the famous fish that we use in our performances.

It’s a lengthy process, with each fish going through at least 4 stages to reach the final product.

 

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Half fish are cut and filled with foam to strengthen them. Whole fish are weighted to balance correctly on the display board. Lets not forget the eyes! These fish have their eyes shipped in to sunny Australia to be attached before the whole fish is varnished ready to be sent out to our venues around the world to begin their intimate relationships with our Basils’ behinds.

 

Ever been through customs with a bag full of plastic fish? Well, we have.
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Brighton Fringe 2013 Trailer and Instagram favourites

Check out our Brighton Fringe 2013 trailer for a sneak peak at what the festival has in store this year for Faulty Fans.

We are performing at the Thistle Brighton until June 9th, so if you haven’t managed to get your tickets yet head on over to www.faultytowers-uk.com or call 01273 763 244 for more info.

 

And if that wasn’t enough of a backstage insight for you, here are some of our favourite Instagram photos courtesy of Donna Gray (@Donzigray) – who is playing Sybil  – and our office team on the Dining Experience’s opening night.

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1. Pre-dinner drinks at the opening night. 2. Ed Howells (Manuel) feeling the pink! 3. Sybil’s sea view dressing room. 4. Cool table settings!

Do you have any Instagram photos of Faulty Towers at the Brighton Fringe? Share them with us @thefaultytowers

Photos and videos are one thing, but actually being there is another… it is an experience after all! So get involved before the event sells out: Purchase your tickets for a Lunch or Dinner performance here.

 

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Cultuurcentrum Muze, Heusden Zolder

After finishing our Netherlands tour last week, we have spent a great three nights at the Cultuurcentrum Muze in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium this week. Every evening was a sell out, with a fantastic atmosphere, super friendly staff and wonderfully decorated tables that Sybil adored! (They matched her outfit).

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Dining tables, Side of the Cultuurcentrum cafe and great hall, Muze Cafe veranda, Pre-dinner drinks bar, Quirky decor in the artiestenfoyer, Cultuurcentrum entrance.

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Pink everywhere: Sybil and matching table cloth

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The crew plus Muze staff with delicious homemade pizza on the last day.

 

Did you get to see Faulty Towers The Dining Experience at Heusden-Zolder? Let us know what you thought!

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Behind the Scenes – UK Cast Photo Shoot

Last week we got our UK cast together to take part in some Dining Experience publicity shots. After a busy and productive session at Idezign Studio in Tottenham we are now excitedly finalising our favourite fabulous photos of Basil, Sybil and Manuel. It was lucky that we managed to get all our performers together in one place, as they’re so often touring all around the UK and worldwide and it was great fun to all catch up with each other.

Here’s a sneak peak behind the scenes with just a few of our actors and the photographer, Emma Rodzik. We’ve also added a whole album to our Facebook page for those of you that are feeling particularly nosey!

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Jack Baldwin as Basil

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Paul O’Neill as Basil

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Donna Gray as Sybil

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Terence Frisch as Manuel

Keep your eyes peeled at our venues and on our Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for the final photos!

If you happen to be looking for a photo studio space to hire, check out Idezign Studio’s website and Twitter.
Check out Emma Rodzik’s art photography on her Flickr.

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Introducing… Jordan Edmeades

We thought you’d like to know a bit more about the people behind Sybil, Basil & Manuel so every month we’re going to introduce one of our actors. This week is the turn of Jordan Edmeades, an Australian actor who has been playing Basil for just over 3 years now. He is currently touring in Europe and made in his debut on the West End last October.

You can find out a bit more about Jordan and other projects he is currently working on here: www.jordanedmeades.com

Q1: What’s your favourite part of working with Faulty Towers The Dining Experience so far, or your favourite Faulty moment?

A: Travelling the world as a working actor and being given the chance to open a five-star show on London’s West End. Big career moment for me and one I’ll never forget.

 

Q2: Describe yourself in three words?

A: Direct, curious, considerate.

 

Q3: What’s your best (or worst) corpsing story?

A: Children crack me up. They have the most amazing ability to say exactly what they think at any given moment, which is an improv actor’s dream. One night during a show at Charing Cross, a young boy who wouldn’t eat his soup began to cry as I told him to stop complaining and just eat the soup. Sybil spent the next ten minutes consoling him, telling him I was a bad man and not to listen to a word I say. She made me apologise and I discovered he liked chocolate… “right, chocolate soup it is then!”.

Later in the show I was having trouble opening a bottle of cola. Eventually I gave up and admitted defeat, at which point I heard a bold reply ring out throughout the room… “I’ll do it!”. The young kid got out of his chair,  snatched the bottle out of my hands and proceeded to try to open the bottle between his legs just like Basil. I couldn’t help but cry with laughter as Manuel quickly came over to help him. I was laughing uncontrollably for a good five minutes, head out the side door trying to catch myself. I had been upstaged by a five-year-old. Brilliant fun.

Q4: What similarities and differences are there between you and the character you play?

A: Like Basil, I have moments of social awkwardness and frequently run into things. The biggest difference is our hair, of which I have a full head, requiring me frequently to artificially ‘recede’ it with a buzz cutter. It’s like mowing the lawn every couple of days.

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Q5: If you were an animal, what animal would you be and why?

A: An albatross, one better than an eagle.

 

Q6: Who’s your favourite other cast member to share a dressing room with and why?

A: I have a different relationship with all of them. I enjoy regular bowel-movement-related conversations with Anthony Sottile, wine and music with Daley Donnelly, poetry and prose with Brian Roche, theatrical brainstorming with Andy Foreman, and in-depth film talk with Ed Howells. When blessed with a lady in the room I enjoy gutter talk and sage advice with Karen Hamilton, wild stories with Suzanna Hughes, business and marketing with Alison Pollard-Mansergh, the trials of houseboat building with Karina Garnett, and exploring the wonders of writing and family life with Donna Gray. Unfortunately, I don’t get a chance to room with other Basils, but we catch up at the bar whenever we get a chance.

 

Q7: If your character had a dating profile, what do you think it would say?

A: I’m manic, impatient, intolerant and not really a fan of people. Contact me if you relate and don’t answer to the name of Sybil.

 

Q8: What was your last tweet or Facebook status?

A: Signed an online petition to help save the threatened orangutan community in Indonesia.

 

Q9: What don’t you leave home without?

A: Water

 

Q10: Do you have any hidden talents?

A: I love my Aussie Rules and can match it with the best of them on a good day.

 

Q11: What would Basil have to say about horse meat in lasagnes?

A: “Well… horses for main courses, really”

 

 

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TV Limburg Interview

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Some photos of the team in the Netherlands (Alison Pollard-Mansergh, Jordan Edmeades & Anthony Sottile) filming an interview with Wim Cremers of Limburg Allein at TV Limburg, yesterday in Roermond.

You can watch the interview below and keep an eye out for Manuel’s brilliant bottle opening skills.

If you’d like to come along and meet the Faultys, they’ll be serving dinner in Heerlen from the 21st to the 23rd February. For more information about shows in the Netherlands and Belgium see our website.

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