Keeping Up Appearances

A capacity audience waited with eager anticipation to see their favourite characters in this popular and well-known TV sit-com from the ‘90s brought to life on stage and were certainly not disappointed.

This original script, written by the show’s writer and creator, followed the escapades of Hyacinth Bucket when determined to impress the local art festival with her painting, “Willows by Moonlight”, is mortified to find on arrival that the village hall been taken over by the drama group. Not to be outdone Hyacinth insists on taking a role in the forthcoming “murder mystery” production much to the consternation of the director, none other than her long-suffering neighbour Emmet!

The tabs opened to reveal the inside of the village hall set on the flat floor of the acting space which did initially make for  a restricted view. However, the US curtains were opened out to reveal the “stage” area of the piece, set on a raised platform where most of the action took place, with an impressive set of double doors USC and a fireplace USR.

Emmet immediately set the scene by highlighting that he urgently needed to complete the cast for his forthcoming play. Giving a very solid performance throughout the experience of this actor shone through, ranging from pernickety and bossy, to total exasperation and frustration as he struggled to keep his emotions and temper in check!

Emmet was enduringly supported all through by his sister Liz, always at his beck and call and dispatched to be the deliverer of any difficult decisions, this was an understated but very believable performance.

When a new resident, recently divorced computer geek Mr Milson, turns up he quickly finds himself thrust into a role and becomes the object of the attentions of Hyacinth’s rather predatory sister Rose!

Rose too had a part in Emmet’s play as did her sister Daisy and Daisy’s husband Onslow. This likeable trio certainly brought a warmth of feeling to the production and their easy “laid back” attitude spilled out into the auditorium, with Onslow’s entrance in the typical scruffy vest invoking an immediate ripple of laughter from the audience.

Hyacinth instantly made her mark as she bustled through the theatre making her way onto the stage, and it was obvious at once that poor Emmet didn’t stand a chance, and an alternative “murder” was soon on his mind!

Inveigling her way into playing the part of  the “upper crust” Lady Melvern, Hyacinth was not so impressed to find, after being “bumped off” in the first half, that she also had to double as the cook and tries avidly but to no avail to persuade Emmet to change the script.

This was a huge part and this performer certainly pulled out all the stops with her performance! It was a perfect study of Patricia Routledge in the role and was as equally annoying and irritating as her television counterpart. She was particularly believable and showed her versatility on switching from “posh” to “west country” when playing the cook, and trying desperately to pretend that she really was not Mrs Bucket. There was a lot of physicality involved in this part as she literally threw herself at times around the stage, gaining without doubt a multitude of bruises along the way!

Casting can be difficult at times and the role of Mr Milson (Milly) on this occasion was played by a member of the Players who was rather too young. Nevertheless, he gave a sincere performance and had charming and natural reactions especially in his exchanges with the much older Rose who certainly latched on to him from their first encounter!

Rose was delightfully played, the performer very much putting her own on stamp on the role, with a lovely winning, cheeky smile, and natural expressions.

Daisy and Onslow made an endearing couple, and when they “smartened up” for the cast photo earned a warm response from the audience. The moment when Onslow snappily divested himself of his suit and shirt and back to his favourite singlet was priceless!

Making up the cast were Mrs Debden, who engineered some laughs as the charity organiser earnestly searching everywhere for Mrs Bucket, and Daddy when he escaped from Violet’s – Mercedes, swimming-pool, and room from a pony – much to Hyacinth’s dismay, complete with gasmask and boxer shorts.

The set was well designed for the action and the costumes were just right. Emmet in an array of Pringle slipovers, Liz in a range of floral prints and matching cardigans, Daisy, and Onslow suitably slobby, and Rose tastefully tarty then transforming for the play into an attractive dress for once with “more skirt than legs”! Milly’s costume was less convincing and perhaps a sports jacket may have worked better and helped to age him up, but  “Mrs Bouquet’s” outfits were outstanding, and perfectly chosen!

On occasion, at this performance, some lines were unfortunately lost as they were delivered over the laughter, but all the expected elements of the series were there, and the production was very warmly received with a standing ovation at the end.

Well done and congratulations on a “sell out” run !

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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