He said that he had been oblivious to the financial accomplishment of the Fawlty Towers Dining Experience, which debuted in Brisbane in 1997.
He said on Twitter that the production had been using the classic sitcom’s concept, without paying him or former wife and co-writer Connie Booth a cent.
Geraldine Hill, the PR and brand director for the producers of the show said “We are staggered by John Cleese’s vitriol towards us and our tribute show. He and his management have known about our show for years. We have made nothing like the sums he claims we have.”
“We are not an unauthorised rip-off show – anyone who knows the law in this area will understand that we do not require authorisation to use the concept of Fawlty Towers. We are not the bad guys he is painting us to be.
“It is a shame he has chosen to air his frustrations so publicly rather than contacting us directly about this matter.”
Cleese told Fairfax Media he was considering taking legal action against Interactive Theatre International before the premiere of his stage show Fawlty Towers Live in Sydney this August.
