One of Britain’s most beloved sitcoms is set to take centre stage in Oxford next month as John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play arrives at New Theatre Oxford for a limited run from 14 to 18 July.

Following two sold-out and critically acclaimed seasons in London’s West End, the stage adaptation of the classic television comedy brings the chaos, misunderstandings and unforgettable characters of the original series to audiences across the UK.

The production, which premiered in May 2024, is directed by Caroline Jay Ranger and features Danny Bayne as the irascible hotel owner Basil Fawlty, alongside Mia Austen as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham as Manuel, Joanne Clifton as Polly, Paul Nicholas as The Major and Jemma Churchill as Mrs Richards.

The tour arrives at a significant moment for the franchise. This year marks 50 years since Fawlty Towers first aired on BBC Two in September 1975. Despite producing only 12 episodes across two series, the sitcom remains one of the most celebrated and influential comedies in British television history.

For the stage adaptation, comedy legend John Cleese has revisited three of his favourite episodes from the original series – The Hotel Inspector, The Germans and Communication Problems – weaving them together into a two-hour theatrical production complete with a newly written finale.

The result is a fast-paced comedy that captures many of the moments that helped make the television series a household favourite, from Basil’s desperate attempts to impress suspected hotel inspectors to his increasingly frantic efforts to manage difficult guests, misunderstandings and his own mounting frustrations.

Audiences can also expect appearances from a host of familiar characters, including the famously hard-of-hearing Mrs Richards, the long-suffering Polly, the eccentric Major and Manuel, the well-meaning waiter whose misunderstandings frequently leave Basil at breaking point.

The wider cast includes Greg Haiste, Emily Winter, Dawn Buckland, John Hasler, Adam Elliott, Neil Stewart and Josie Brightwell, alongside Ashleigh Harvey, Ben Jacobson, Matthew Gordon and Raymond Rose.

Set in the fictional seaside town of Torquay, Fawlty Towers was inspired in part by real-life hotel owner Donald Sinclair, whose famously abrasive manner fascinated Cleese during a stay at the Gleneagles Hotel. Those experiences ultimately helped shape one of British comedy’s most memorable characters.

The original television series earned numerous accolades, including two BAFTA awards for Best Situation Comedy, and in 2000 was voted the greatest British television programme of all time in a poll conducted by the British Film Institute.

Half a century after Basil Fawlty first appeared on television screens, the enduring appeal of the character and the razor-sharp writing continue to attract audiences old and new. The stage adaptation offers fans an opportunity to revisit some of the sitcom’s most iconic moments while introducing a new generation to the mayhem of Fawlty Towers.

With its blend of classic farce, memorable one-liners and larger-than-life characters, the production promises an evening of comedy that celebrates one of Britain’s most enduring television classics.

John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play runs at New Theatre Oxford from Tuesday 14 July to Saturday 18 July.

As Father’s Day approaches, social media feeds fill with family photographs, gift ideas and messages of appreciation for dads and father figures. For many, it is a day of celebration. For others, it serves as a poignant reminder of someone they have lost.

For Oxfordshire resident Nell Davies-Small, Father’s Day has taken on a very different meaning in recent years.

The 24-year-old lost her father suddenly three years ago following a short, five-week battle with brain cancer. The timing made an already devastating loss even harder to process. Having just completed university, Nell attended her father’s funeral the day before her graduation ceremony.

Today, she is sharing her experience in the hope that others navigating grief feel less alone.

” The first Father’s Day I experienced without my father I spent feeling very angry,” Nell recalls. “Watching others appreciate their parent, and celebrating alongside them, felt a personal attack on the absence of my own dad.”

Like many people grieving the loss of a parent, she found herself caught between personal sorrow and a world seemingly moving on around her.

“I wished he had been there, to read my card, laugh at my sincerity, and I wished we could spend the day together; go for a walk and a pint, watch The Royle Family, and laugh together, like we always did.”

While grief is often described as a journey, it rarely follows a predictable path. For young adults especially, the loss of a parent can arrive during a period of significant life change, disrupting plans, milestones and expectations for the future.

For Nell, the years since her father’s death have been marked by both heartbreak and growth.

As a Youth Ambassador for Child Bereavement UK, she has found herself connecting with other young people who understand the complexities of loss.

“When I first joined Child Bereavement UK, it was to shout about my grief and the injustice, the pain and the heartbreak,” she says. “I wanted to make sure nobody ever felt as isolated and downtrodden as I did when my dad died.”

What she discovered was not a solution to grief, but something equally important: a community.

“Three years on, I realise now I will never be able to do that, because their grief is not something I can fix. But working with Child Bereavement UK brought me something I never thought I would have: a group of incredible people with similar experiences who have held my hand and laughed with me through the highs and lows of this funny thing we call grief.”

Her experience reflects a reality recognised by bereavement specialists: grief does not disappear with time. Instead, many people learn how to carry it alongside the rest of their lives.

Special occasions such as Father’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas can be particularly challenging. These moments often shine a spotlight on absence, bringing emotions back to the surface regardless of how much time has passed.

Yet Nell says her relationship with Father’s Day has evolved.

“As life has moved on, although it feels like my grief has not, approaching my third Father’s Day without my dad has made me realise it has.”

Rather than focusing solely on loss, she now sees the day as an opportunity to reflect on the relationship they shared.

“How lucky are all of my friends to hug their fathers, how lucky am I to miss mine with such ferocity and desperation. But, more importantly, how lucky am I to have loved and been loved by him.”

It is a perspective shaped not by the absence of grief, but by an acceptance that grief and love are deeply connected.

For many bereaved people, remembrance becomes an important part of healing. Whether through family traditions, sharing stories, visiting meaningful places or simply setting aside time to reflect, finding ways to honour loved ones can help maintain a sense of connection.

For Nell, Father’s Day has become a quieter, more reflective occasion.

“Father’s Day, for me, has become a time of quiet reflection; the parts of him I see in myself, a slow day to remember my warm and bright childhood, and to remind myself that taking active time to remember someone means you have the rare and incredible ability to keep them alive.”

She is also candid about the difficulties that remain.

The first Father’s Day after her father’s death was overwhelming. Like many young people dealing with grief in an increasingly connected world, she found social media particularly difficult.

“If this is your first Father’s Day without your dad; there is no right or wrong way to deal with anything, especially not this.”

Her coping mechanisms were simple but effective.

“I put my phone in a drawer and did not open it for 48 hours because I was terrified to see social media. I gathered my friends around me and talked about him all day because that was all that made me feel safe.”

Her message to others facing a similar experience is one of compassion and understanding.

Grief looks different for everyone. Some people prefer solitude, others seek company. Some find comfort in routines and traditions, while others create entirely new ways of marking difficult occasions.

The important thing, Nell says, is recognising that there is no single correct response.

Although Father’s Day remains emotionally complex, she now sees beauty in the purpose behind it.

“Although Father’s Day still makes me feel a bit queasy, I also think; what a beautiful day we have, to remember people, dead or alive, and consciously bring them into our days, because they made our lives so beautiful for so long.”

Her story comes as Child Bereavement UK highlights the challenges many children and young people face when navigating significant dates after the death of someone important in their lives.

The charity provides free support across the UK for children and young people up to the age of 25 who are bereaved or facing the death of someone close to them. It also supports parents and carers whose babies or children have died or are dying.

Through specialist bereavement services, the organisation helps families understand and cope with grief, while offering practical and emotional support during some of life’s most difficult moments.

As Father’s Day is marked across Oxfordshire and beyond, Nell’s reflections offer a reminder that the day means different things to different people.

For some, it is about celebration. For others, remembrance.

And for those carrying the loss of a father, it can be both at the same time.

About the King’s Birthday Honours List

Honouring Oxfordshire: Celebrating our local heroes in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026

The King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 continues a long-standing tradition of recognising individuals who have made exceptional contributions to public life across the UK.

From environmental law and children’s welfare to business leadership, local government and community impact, this year’s Oxfordshire recipients reflect the depth and diversity of talent rooted in the county.

Leading the Oxfordshire honours is Professor Richard Brabazon Macrory CBE KC, who has been appointed a Knight Bachelor for services to Environmental Law.

Lately a Board Member of the Office for Environmental Protection, Professor Macrory is widely regarded for his influential work in shaping environmental regulation and governance in the UK. His knighthood reflects a career dedicated to strengthening legal frameworks that support environmental protection and sustainable development.

Also honoured is Wendy Becker for services to business and charitable causes in Oxfordshire. She is recognised for her leadership across both commercial and philanthropic spheres, with a strong record of supporting organisations and community initiatives.

As Director of the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory, Lisa Harker is honoured for her services to children and young people, helping to improve understanding and outcomes within the family justice system.

Other recipients include:

• Dr Martin Reeves – recognised for services to local government. He is Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council and has played a key role in leading public service delivery across the county.
• Jacquelyn Gitau – recognised for services to migrant families in Oxfordshire. She is known for her work supporting African families and strengthening community integration and wellbeing.
• Craig Simmons – honoured for services to charitable causes and the Oxford community, and is recognised for his continued commitment to grassroots impact and local engagement.

The Oxfordshire recipients of the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 reflect a shared commitment to public service, innovation and community wellbeing.

From environmental leadership at the highest legal level to frontline support for families and communities, this year’s honourees demonstrate the breadth of contribution across the county.

Their achievements serve as a reminder of the significant role Oxfordshire continues to play in shaping national life — across law, government, business and social impact.

Read on to discover the full list of Oxfordshire people recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours.

Knighthoods

Professor Richard Brabazon MACRORY
Lately Board Member, The Office for Environmental Protection.
For services to Environmental Law
(Kidlington, Oxfordshire)

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire

Wendy Mira BECKER
For services to Business and to Charitable Causes
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Lisa Marie HARKER
Director, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory.
For services to Children and Young People
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire

John Gordon BOUMPHREY
Vice-President, Country Manager UK and Ireland, Amazon.
For services to Technology, Consumer and Digital Commerce Industry
(Abingdon, Oxfordshire)

Clare HORNBY
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, ME+EM.
For services to the Fashion Industry
(Burford, Oxfordshire)

Dr Martin Robert REEVES
Chief Executive, Oxfordshire County Council.
For services to Local Government
(Warwick, Warwickshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire 

Sally Elizabeth ALEXANDER
Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Milton Keynes College Group, Buckinghamshire.
For services to Further Education

Sarah EBERLE
For services to Horticulture
(Witney, Oxfordshire)

Jacquelyn Elizabeth GITAU
Director, African Families in the UK.
For services to Migrant Families in Oxfordshire
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Anthony Roy PERKINS
Chief Executive, The London Hostels Association London Ltd.
For services to Housing and to Supporting Young People
(Bicester, Oxfordshire)

Craig SIMMONS
For services to Charitable Causes and to the community in Oxford
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Dr Stephen Michael SMITH
Executive Director, CO2RE and Associate Professor of Greenhouse Gas
Removal, University of Oxford.
For services to Climate Science
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Rabbi Dr Norman SOLOMON
For services to the Jewish Community and to Interfaith Relations in Oxfordshire
(London, Greater London)

Adam TWINE
Organic Farmer.
For services to Community Onshore Wind
(Watchfield, Oxfordshire)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire

Melanie Jane HOULDERSHAW
For services to Local Theatre and Choir
(Oxford, Oxfordshire)

Richard Geoffrey Horsford KEMP
For services to the community in Langford, Oxfordshire
(Lechlade, Oxfordshire)

Martin Brotherton SPURRIER
For services to Charitable Causes and to the community in Oxfordshire
(Witney, Oxfordshire)