After sellout shows in Britain, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Dubai and other cities across the globe, "Faulty Towers - The Dining Experience" has arrived in the capital to give a twist to culinary experience.
It made its Indian debut in Mumbai Oct 11 and 12. Now, it is here to perform at The Taj Mahal Hotel here Tuesday and Wednesday and will end its India run in Chennai Oct 18 and 19.
Inspired by the 1970s BBC sitcom "Fawlty Towers", the interactive play makes you a part of the chaotic world of Basil, played by Robert Langston; his domineering wife Sybil (Karen Hamilton) and their hopelessly language-challenged waiter Manuel (Anthony Sottile).
From seating the guests, to taking their orders and serving them, the cast of the show will make you focus more on their antics rather than your plate.
"The show has been going on for 17 years and I 've been with them for 15 years. It's a really good show. Two-third of it is improvised, so we don't get bored. You have to adjust and if you do research you know what can be avoided," Hamilton told IANS.
"We check online about the customs of the country before performing so that we don't offend someone. In all Asian countries, I was told not to touch anybody on top of the head. We don't want to offend anyone. We want people to have a good time," she added.
Hamilton says the characters are universal, but it is "toughest" to perform in her homeland Australia.
"Australian audience is the toughest. Everybody seems to be a lot easier because elsewhere there is more of theatre culture than what we have back home. Australia is more about sports, TV and movies," she said.
Now in its 17th year, it has been brought to India by Balancing Act Productions helmed by Divya Palat.
"I am a fan of the BBC show and I love interactive theatre. I want to change the theatre scene in India because right now we have a very niche audience that goes to watch plays. To change that you need to do something different...I am doing play pairing with food," Palat told IANS.
While the Mumbai shows were sellout, she is hoping the same happens here too.
"I think Delhi has a wonderful theatre audience. Delhi also has great sense of humour. They will be happy and well fed," said Palat.
And she plans to bring in more such plays to India, though there are challenges.
"The challenge in India is the entertainment license. It takes forever. It is difficult to bring in foreign talent in India. I believe there should be cultural exchange. If you can bring in artists from other countries, we can see what other people are doing and learn," said the theatre artist, who is geared up to direct and co-produce a "big budget romantic-comedy film".
