The Royal Wells Hotel has turned out a magical night of interactive dining and theatre that supersedes expectations. Michelle Wood went along to enjoy a sneak preview of the Faulty Towers Dinner Experience…
If you haven’t yet popped into the newly refurbished Royal Wells Hotel on Mt Ephraim Rd for tea and cake, a meal, or a classic cocktail, just treat yourself.
The vistas over Tunbridge Wells alone are worth it. With plenty of parking, the hotel itself imbues nothing short of a timeless elegance, while walking that exquisite line between contemporary and classic.
If you’re lucky, you’ll bump into Luca Zanetti-Springett, the hotel’s Sales and Event Manager. His passion for the Royal Wells is obvious, and he is turning his many dreams for this RedCat hotel into a reality, starting with the ‘Faulty Towers Dinner Experience’, which runs from May 29 to June 29.
Having been granted a sneak peek of the show, I am more than a little excited to recommend the experience to the diners of Tunbridge Wells.
From the moment that Basil, Sybil and Manuel enter the room, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported back at least 40 years to the oh-so-familiar foyer and dining room of the old Torquay Hotel for which the show was so famous. The main difference is that the Royal Wells is far more elegant.
The cast are dead ringers: From their appearances, to their voices and mannerisms, these three are a slick act, and the pace is unrelenting. Despite myself, I was soon unwittingly roped into Basil’s antics and Manuel’s shenanigans. I was beguiled.
When you’re immersed in Basil, Sybil and Manuel’s world, your evening is sure to be extraordinary. While you dine on your vegetable broth, lemon chicken main and strawberry cheesecake dessert, expect it to be served alongside a healthy dose of fun and mayhem as you become a part of the storyline of the iconic BBC television programme.
With more than 70 per cent of the show improvised, this is a completely immersive and highly interactive comedy spectacular in which anything can happen – and it usually does.
Each dinner experience starts at 7pm, with the show and dinner commencing at 7.30pm and continuing for at least two hours.
Mr Zanetti-Springett has certainly curated an unforgettable evening for his guests.
“Our Faulty Towers Dinner Experience is the perfect opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in the world of Fawlty Towers and to enjoy a night of guaranteed laughter and entertainment,” he said.
“We’re thrilled to bring this unique and immersive experience to Royal Tunbridge Wells and we can’t wait to share it with our guests.”
To purchase tickets to the Faulty Towers Dinner Experience, visit: designmynight.com/uk/event-space/kent/royal-wells-hotel/faulty-towers-dinner-experience
