British sitcom Fawlty Towers is getting the stage treatment with a new stage play penned by series creator, writer, and star John Cleese that begins previews at the Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury May 4. Fawlty Towers - The Play is set to officially open May 15.

The two-hour play is based on three of the 1975 series' episodes, "The Hotel Inspector," "The Germans," and "Communication Problems," each originally written by Cleese and fellow series creator and star Connie Booth.

The series was based on real-life hotel owner Donald Sinclair, whose rude behavior inspired Cleese after a stay at Sinclair's Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay. Sinclair became Basil Fawlty, played by Cleese, in the sitcom that would go on to win two BAFTAs. Over two seasons, the project released 12 half-hour episodes.

Adam Jackson-Smith stars as Basil for the stage run, joined by Anna-Jane Casey as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham as Manuel, Victoria Fox as Polly, Paul Nicholas as The Major, Rachel Izen as Mrs. Richards, Steven Meo as Mr. Hutchinson and Wilhelm, Kate Russell-Smith as Miss Tibbs, Nicola Sanderson as Miss Gatsby, Greg Haiste as Mr. Thurston and Günter, Danny Bayne as Mr. Walt, Neil Stuard as Taxi Driver, Mr. Firkins, Mr. Kerr, and Mr. Sharp, and Emma Fenney as Liz and Johanna. Mia Austen, John Hasler, and Dale Superville are hotel guests, with understudies Ben Jacobson and Suzy Bloom rounding out the company. Casting is by Anne Vosser.

Caroline Jay Ranger is directing, leading a creative team that also includes set and costume designer Liz Ascroft, lighting designer Ian Scott, and sound designer Rory Madden.

Cleese formerly wrote and performed in Cambridge Circus on Broadway and was in the original Broadway company of Half a Sixpence. He's also a co-writer and star of Spamalot's screen source material, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Visit FawltyTowersWestEnd.com.