Connie Booth, the ex-wife of John Cleese, has expressed her excitement for a new stage production of the iconic TV sitcom Fawlty Towers, which she co-wrote with Cleese. Booth, who played Polly in the series, plans to attend the new show with other audience members, although she prefers to keep a low profile and avoid the limelight. Her second husband, John Lahr, noted that she will likely attend the show, despite not giving interviews or commenting on the production.
Booth, now 83, was married to Cleese in 1968 and they collaborated on the hit TV series which was later named the greatest British sitcom of all time in a 2019 poll. The couple divorced in 1978, with Booth stepping away from the entertainment industry in 1995 to pursue a career as a psychotherapist. She now lives quietly in London with her second husband, Lahr, and prefers to remain out of the public eye. Cleese, on the other hand, has adapted three episodes of Fawlty Towers for the new stage production, adding a new finale that brings together key elements from all three episodes.
The new stage production of Fawlty Towers, set to open in London’s West End, stars Adam Jackson-Smith as Basil Fawlty and Anna-Jane Casey as Sybil Fawlty. Victoria Fox will take on the role of Polly, while Paul Nicholas will play the Major. The production marks the first time Fawlty Towers has been brought to the West End stage, nearly 50 years after the show was first recorded. Cleese has also announced plans for a reboot of Fawlty Towers with daughter Camilla Cleese, which will be set in the Caribbean and explore Basil’s attempts to navigate the modern world.
Last year, Booth expressed surprise at Cleese’s plans for a reboot of Fawlty Towers and his intention to star alongside their daughter Camilla. Despite her initial shock, Booth reportedly wished Cleese and Camilla well with the project. Cleese has stated that he will not be working with the BBC on the reboot, as he believes he will have more creative freedom elsewhere. He fondly recalls his time working with the BBC in the late ’60s and ’70s, but feels that the current media landscape and competition make other avenues more appealing for the revival of Fawlty Towers.
Connie Booth’s involvement in the original Fawlty Towers series as co-writer and actress has left a lasting legacy, with the show continuing to captivate audiences decades later. While Booth herself prefers to stay out of the public eye, her contribution to the iconic sitcom remains a testament to her talent and creativity. As the new stage production and potential reboot of Fawlty Towers move forward, fans of the series eagerly await the return of Basil, Sybil, and the unforgettable chaos of Torquay’s most infamous hotel.
