PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Bitou Amateur Theatrical Society (Bats) is at it again! This time they are working on the production of a popular comic melodrama set in a fictional hotel in Torquay where the dysfunctional staff, led by their manic boss, do everything possible to make their guests' visits as unpleasant as possible.
This is their seventh theatrical production.
John Cleese, who was the creator of the original TV series Fawlty Towers, has successfully brought the show to the stage in the form of a two-act play.
The TV series, which is still broadcast throughout the world, is ranked as one of the 100 greatest British TV programmes ever produced.
Who can ever forget the tense, rude owner of the hotel, Basil Fawlty, his bossy wife Sybil, Polly the chambermaid and the inept, English-challenged Spanish waiter, Manuel?
The play shows their attempts to run the hotel amid farcical situations and an array of demanding and eccentric guests and tradespeople.
As always, David Hall-Green directs his cast of enthusiastic local amateurs who have worked hard over the past weeks, learning their lines and rehearsing to become their characters.
He says, "While Basil has become an iconic figure, our play is not attempting to make our actors look exactly like the original actors but to convincingly interpret their characters and to bring their own personalities to their parts. I am fortunate to be surrounded by able and willing volunteers who make everything happen – building the set, organising publicity and ticket sales and a myriad of other activities."
The Bats continue to meet their original objectives: having fun indulging their acting aspirations; bringing the magic of live theatre to our community; and donating the proceeds to Plett Animal Welfare Services.
The special opening night will be on Tuesday 26 September at 18:30, with other nights to follow from
27 September to 30 September. All shows are being performed at the St Peter's Anglican Church Hall in Church Street. Bookings can be made via Quicket or at Barney's Information Kiosk, Market Square Shopping Centre. For enquiries you can contact Marsja Hall-Green on 073 645 9476.
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