The great Noel Coward would be BURSTING with pride if he could hear this woman do what she's done with his text. The conversational quality she lends to this is exceptional, and very much her signature. Dame Patricia's love and deep respect of the spoken word is deeply evident in this. I've watched this 10 or 11 times now, and it just doesn't get old.
There isn't a more richly interpreted rendition of this song. The words came alive in her head like she herself had been at this grand party the night before. I grew up with Dame Routledge (the Funny Lady as my family colloquially called her), watching Keeping up Appearances beginning at the age of 4 at my grandparents' house on the weekends. Now I'm 25, and I've shared this show with everyone who's come into my life and when I go home for the holidays, though we're all much older, my family and I watch it, even though we could have seen the same episode a hundred times, and still laugh. She is a gifted actress and a gift of a human being. One day I'll write her, though to this point, what I'd say eludes me. Because I simply haven't found a way to express to her how much she has meant to me throughout my life, the uniting fixture in a family with very different interests. I'll watch Hyacinth and Hetty before bed usually, especially when I'm feeling anxious or unsettled after a day or before the day ahead, and I'll sink into a younger part of myself, full of memories. I studied literature, like Dame Routledge, and I'm an actor now in New York, where I know she had many a night on the stage, and now she is my teacher. She inspires me both personally and professionally. I could ramble on with a hundred more ways I've been influenced by her, but maybe I'm hoping a little too much she will actually see this. May she continue to live on and perform lovely little surprises like this. A sublime experience. Thank you for your beautiful work on the piano and for sharing this.
I could not agree more! She lends such a conversational quality to this that her rendition is all her own product, completely distinct from that of Coward’s original performance. I’m always amazed at how she is able to totally transform herself into whatever character she’s portraying, whether your talking Ms. Fozzard (Talking Heads), Mrs. Bowler (Anybody’s Nightmare), Hetty Wainthrop (...Investigates), Hildegard, Hyacinth Bucket, whatever... You could swear she isn’t Dame Patricia, and that she really did come from a “marvelous party.” No costume or makeup necessary, just knowing who she’s portraying, and being that person. I’ve learned a lot how to do a monologue from this woman. She’s among the very best actors in the world, in my opinion.
I couldn't agree with you more. I'm American so I was late in the game to watching "Keeping Up Appearances". I watched this entire video without realizing this was Hyacinth Bucket. Noel Coward would have been so so proud of this performance.
My English istn't very good, but when I listen to the Great Lady Patricia, I can understand everything! She is absolutely crazy and absolutely gorgeous 💚
She was utterly magnificent when she came to our local theatre a couple of years ago to do her show in which she reminisced about her career; her interlocutor Edward Seckerson made it clear at the beginning that her performance as Hyacinth wouldn't be the main part of the conversation. During the interval I overheard a lady (who had clearly expected two hours of Bouquet stories) on her phone saying to someone, "Well, it's alright for a sit-down I suppose". A line worthy of Kitty and Victoria Wood! 😆
My first introduction to the great Patricia Routledge, many years ago now, was via a 2LP recording of the London stage revue "Cowardy Custard." The numbers she performed ranged from Coward's sentimental ballads to this comic classic. I was riveted! Later on of course came Keeping up Appearances and Alan Bennett's Talking Heads and so much more, including the great good fortune to see her "live" in The Pirates of Penzance in Central Park (where she was the standout performer). What's interesting is that her interpretation here adheres very much to that one I heard long ago, both in broad outline and much of the detail, now polished and refined to perfection, mellowed a bit - but only slightly! - by the perspective of age. That's true comic genius... and incredible discipline and craft. Thank you, Dame Patricia, for all you have given us! :)
I saw Patty Routledge in an afternoon interview at The Theatre Royal in the Haymarket. I was in 2 minds whether to go. I’m so pleased I did. She’s hugely entertaining, so many extraordinary theatrical experiences. Marvellous.
I love Dame Routledge so inspiring, so talented. Her music is absolutely fabulous. I wish they would make a DVD with her Climb Every Mountain and other music on. Its a shame because noone plays records anymore. Would have loved to thank uou in person for making me laugh,uncontrollably.
I’m back here to watch this again, this is very funny but also so inspiring! She’s simply incredible. To think that she’s over 90 - apparently 91 here is _crazy_. She looks easily 10-15 years younger!! Maybe even 20. Many look older in their 70s than she looks here at the freaking age of 91. But the real point - her talent and skills which she still got. Respect. Thank you for everything, Dame. ❤
Keeping up appearances was part of my childhood, I loved it so much. I didn't know that she was still alive! I know "Richard" isn't. She looks amazing for her age!! X
Why we don’t see Dame Pat on TV I don’t know. Fans should look at the you tubes of her as Victoria Woods ‘Kitty’ who was a sort of pre curser to Hyacinth!
Happy 95th birthday to the wonderful Dame Patricia Routledge. She is so talented! This song performance is absolutely wonderful. She's clearly enjoying singing it and that makes it even more fun for us.
📞🎶🌟👑💞❤✨ Dame Patricia is AN AMAZING LADY Love HER singing this jolly fun Noel cowArd song ..it's Bouquet 💐😅 I'm thinking of sending a autograph request to DAME Patricia Routedge! It'll make my DAYyy if SHE replied BACK with a sighned photo
