Keeping up Appearances.

Most of us will have laughed and been thoroughly entertained by the popular television series, Keeping up Appearances 1990 - 1995 when the mere mention of a Candlelight Supper transported us to the world of the fictional character Hyacinth Walton Bucket (pronounced ‘Bouquet’ at Hyacinth’s insistence) as portrayed by actress Patricia Routledge. It is still regarded as a TV classic almost 30 years after its debut.

So, this stage production had audience expectations fixed by what they had seen on the TV screen, making it an ambitious undertaking within amateur theatre. Unquestionably, they more than pulled it off.

The stage set was in the living room where Emmett is directing a play for the local amateur dramatic group. Hyacinth is a member of an art group and is obsessed with her new painting “Willows by Moonlight.” However, when she learns that the role of Lady Malvern is yet to be cast in the play, her attention is diverted to the production and she is determined that she is the person for the role of Lady Malvern and Emmett’s efforts to keep her out of the role prove futile. She is unstoppable and we all know how persistent Hyacinth can be!

Emmett played by Peter Biggers and his incredibly nervous stage sister Liz played by Sheila Graham perform the part of Hyacinth’s next-door neighbours and fittingly demonstrate the strain of having a neighbour like Hyacinth.

Hyacinth is played by Catherine Hughes and she was “born for the part.” She stepped into the shoes of Hyacinth as a perfect fit. Her stature, voice, hair, attire and movement on stage were performed so convincingly. To protect her social credibility, she later in the play takes on a disguise as a cook and changes her accent to a convincing Cornish emphasis to hide herself from the pursuing Mrs Debden, played by Heather Howey. Hyacinth lands herself in this farcical situation that was side-splitting and the audience responded with raucus laughter.

Her dialogue when speaking to her dear son Sheridan and sister Violet by mobile phone was brilliantly executed. Only Hyacinth would have a mobile ringtone of The Sound of Music followed by her saying ‘you have reached the personal mobile of Hyacinth Bouquet; this is she speaking.’

When talking to her sister Violet on the phone Hyacinth’s deep affection for “daddy” is evident and “daddy” makes an appearance toward the end of the show. He was hilarious. Adam Bell gave a very funny performance of daddy and despite it being a small part the comical impact he achieved thrilled the audience.

Matt Bush played the “glass half empty” Mr Milson who was recovering from a bad divorce. Bad in the sense that his wife got the house and he got the dog. His life certainly got brighter when he met the flirtatious and enticing Rose played by Sue Catch. Her attire intending to provoke was convincing but not distasteful. She led Mr Milson by the hand and achieved in putting a smile on his face. I say no more.

Ian Baulch-Jones who played the slovenly Onslow and Carol Lawrence who played lovesick Daisy achieved between them a chemistry that replicated the characters we know from the screen. They gave a particularly good performance.

Finally, amateur theatre would not exist if it were not for the enthusiasm of Directors like Matthew Winter whose determination to bring this play to the stage has delighted us. Peter Biggers as well as playing Emmet presided over production.

To all the backstage crew who gave us a thoroughly enjoyable night of laughs and entertainment, thankyou and well done to all involved on and off stage.

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