In a delightful twist, the iconic heart-throb of the 80s, Paul Nicholas, has stepped into a very different role for the stage adaptation of the beloved BBC sitcom, Fawlty Towers. The first pictures of the reboot have been revealed, and they showcase Nicholas as the bumbling old Major alongside Adam Jackson-Smith, who portrays the iconic character Basil Fawlty
From Heart-Throb to Major
Paul Nicholas, known for his curly blonde locks and chiseled jawline during his heart-throb days in the 80s (thanks to his role in Just Good Friends), has now embraced a new challenge. At 79 years old, he takes on the character of the Major, a far cry from his youthful heart-throb status. Reflecting on this transformation, Nicholas humorously remarked, “Well, I’m at that stage in my life where Peter Pan is no longer an option. I’m at the age where these kinds of roles come up – I played Colonel Pickering recently, and that’s not dissimilar”
The Origins of Fawlty Towers
The concept for Fawlty Towers was born during a lunchtime chat between John Cleese and his then-wife, Connie Booth. Cleese, who had decided to move away from Monty Python, wanted to create something fresh. He and Booth agreed to set the show in a hotel they had stayed at during their time in Torquay. Little did they know that their creation would become a timeless classic, loved by audiences around the world.
The Reboot and Cleese’s Approval
The West End stage adaptation of Fawlty Towers is set to have its first run soon, and Cleese himself has given it his stamp of approval. He declared, “It’s much better than it was on television” . The show promises to capture the essence of the original sitcom while introducing a new generation to the quirky characters and hilarious situations that made Fawlty Towers a comedy gem.
As we eagerly await the curtain to rise on this reboot, we can’t help but appreciate the delightful irony of Paul Nicholas’s transformation from heart-throb to Major. It’s a testament to the enduring magic of great storytelling and the ability of talented actors to reinvent themselves across the decades.
So, whether you remember Paul Nicholas as the heart-throb of the 80s or look forward to seeing him as the bumbling Major, one thing is certain: Fawlty Towers continues to charm and entertain audiences, proving that laughter knows no age limits.
