May 12th 2024.
Adam Jackson-Smith is taking on the role of Basil Fawlty in the new stage adaptation of Fawlty Towers, written by the legendary John Cleese. It's a daunting task, as he is tasked with reinventing the iconic character that has been beloved by audiences since the 1970s when it first aired on the BBC. But Adam is up for the challenge and is excited to bring Basil back to life for a whole new generation.
Working with John Cleese has been a dream come true for Adam. Despite being the original writer and creator of Fawlty Towers, John has been incredibly supportive and open to Adam's interpretation of Basil. He has given Adam the freedom to bring his own unique spin to the character, while also providing valuable guidance and insight. Adam is grateful for this opportunity and admits that meeting John was a starstruck moment for him.
At the press day before opening night, John shared with The Agency and other outlets that the true magic of the play will happen in June, when the cast has become comfortable enough in their roles to really play around and find the best comedic timing and moments. And Adam is ready to take on the challenge, as he has been researching the real-life inspiration for Basil, hotel owner Donald Sinclair. He has taken a methodical approach to the character, working from the inside out to truly understand and embody the essence of Basil.
But taking on such an iconic role does come with its challenges. Adam is aware that audiences will inevitably compare him to John's version of Basil, but he is determined to bring his own unique interpretation to the character. He is not trying to impersonate John, but rather create his own version of Basil that stays true to the original while also adding his own flair.
When asked about how he will summon the chaotic energy that is so essential to Basil's character, Adam admits that it will be a physical feat. He jokes that he may have to start carb-loading like a marathon runner to keep up with Basil's constant state of pandemonium. But he is excited to tackle this challenge and believes that the physicality of the role will add an extra layer of authenticity to his performance.
Adam also shares his thoughts on the character of Basil, admitting that he has a soft spot for him. While some may see him as a rude and unpleasant person, Adam believes that Basil's actions come from a good place. He is simply a very English and repressed man, constantly trying to suppress his emotions and urges. And while he may not be the best hotel manager, he does have good intentions at heart.
As for the play itself, there has been some controversy surrounding the inclusion of racial slurs that were previously removed from the original TV series. But Adam assures audiences that the play is a period piece and the essence of the original is still intact. Some changes have been made to make it more suitable for a modern audience, but the iconic scenes and humor that fans know and love are still present.
For Adam, playing Basil is a blessed relief from his usual roles as a murderer. He jokes that maybe Basil should have been a librarian, as he would have less contact with the public. But then again, he might not like animals either. In the end, Adam is just grateful for the opportunity to bring such an iconic character back to life on stage and hopes that audiences will love his version of Basil just as much as they love John's.
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