The best theatre to stream this month: Basil’s back as Fawlty Towers reopens for business

John Cleese’s stage version of his beloved sitcom, a cast recording of Cornish musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Robert Wilson’s production of Handel’s Messiah are among September’s highlights

Fifty years ago this month, Torquay’s most famous rat trap opened for business on the BBC. To mark the anniversary of the sitcom’s first broadcast, here’s a chance to watch the 2024 stage farce adapted by John Cleese from three episodes: The Hotel Inspectors, Communication Problems and The Germans. Featuring an introduction by Cleese, it’s on U&GOLD on 19 September and on demand from Sky, Virgin Media and Now.