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John Cleese has adapted three episodes of Fawlty Towers into a play, which will premiere in the West End in May.

Fawlty Towers is often, quite rightly, cited as one of the best sitcoms ever made. Starring John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs and Connie Booth, it was written by Cleese and Booth who, according to the DVD commentaries, took six weeks to plot and write each episode.

The show was based on a real hotel the Monty Python team stayed at, with Basil Fawlty based on its proprietor Donald Sinclair, after whom Cleese later named his character in Rat Race.

According to the British Comedy Guide, Cleese has adapted three episodes for the stage as a play which will premiere at the Apollo Theatre in the West End in June. Caroline Jay Ranger will direct.

The episodes are The Hotel Inspector and The Germans from Series 1 and Communication Problems...

Michael Mayer’s West End production of Funny Girl starring Olivier Award winner Sheridan Smith will be broadcast in cinemas globally on Wednesday October 24. A trailer was released today.

The performance was filmed by Digital Theatre during the final week of the musical’s run at the Manchester Palace Theatre. The film will be released in cinemas for one night only by Trafalgar Releasing.

The October 24 screening had been set for the United Kingdom, but Trafalgar announced the global expansion today.

In addition to Smith’s Fanny Brice, the recorded performance stars Darius Campbell, Nigel Barber, Zoë Ann Bown, Martin Callaghan, Jennifer Harding, Rachel Izen, Joshua Lay and Myra Sands. The revised book is by Harvey Fierstein.

“I’m beyond excited to be able to share our production of Funny Girl with audiences across the pond in North America,” said Smith.

The Funny Girl revival opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory...

Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed new production of Boublil amp Schonberg's Les Miserables just welcomed several new cast members for its second year on Broadway last night, March 3 at The Imperial Theatre 249 West 45th Street. Joining the cast are Tony and Oliver Award nominee Gavin Lee Mary Poppins as Thenardier, Erika Henningsen as Fantine, Rachel Izen as Madame Thenardier,Brennyn Lark as Eponine, Chris McCarrell as Marius and Wallace Smith as Enjolras. Tony Award nominee Ramin Karimloo will perform as Jean Valjean through the end of the summer Will Swenson, as Javert, and Samantha Hill, as Cosette, will continue in their roles as well. Below, BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge brings you interviews with the full gang on their first night...

Cameron Mackintosh's acclaimed new production of Boublil amp Schonberg's Les Miserables just welcomed several new cast members for its second year on Broadway last night, March 3 at The Imperial Theatre 249 West 45th Street. Joining the cast are Tony and Oliver Award nominee Gavin Lee Mary Poppins as Thenardier, Erika Henningsen as Fantine, Rachel Izen as Madame Thenardier, Brennyn Lark as Eponine, Chris McCarrell as Marius and Wallace Smith as Enjolras. Tony Award nominee Ramin Karimloo will perform as Jean Valjean through the end of the summer Will Swenson, as Javert, and Samantha Hill, as Cosette, will continue in their roles as well. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the new cast's first night...