At 93, Patricia Routledge is still as passionate about theatre and performance as ever. Her latest project, marking the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, sees her reading excerpts from this historic text on stage at the National Theatre.
Yet, for someone so entrenched in the world of stage and screen, Routledge’s return to such a prestigious venue is somewhat unexpected.
“It feels wonderful,” she says of her return to the National, nearly 20 years after her last appearance in Nicholas Hytner’s production of Carousel. Despite her illustrious career spanning over 60 years, Routledge admits that she is not “stage-struck” and never expected to make acting her career.
“I was never stage-struck. I’m not stage-struck now,” she says, with a smile. “Nobody’s more surprised than I am that I have spent my life doing this.”
Although Routledge has built a varied career, her portrayal of the high-maintenance Hyacinth “It’s Bouquet!” Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances remains her most iconic role. The character, a pretentious suburban housewife obsessed with social status, is beloved by fans, even now.
“The dreadful Mrs. B,” as she calls her, is a character that has lived on in the hearts of viewers worldwide since the show first aired in the early ’90s. Yet, Routledge’s warmth and wit in person are far from the snobbish character she portrayed. “I’m infinitely more charming,” she jokes, displaying her trademark humor and humility.
Her return to the National Theatre is part of a series of special projects that reflect her enduring passion for both acting and the art of language. For example, her tribute to wartime pianist Myra Hess in Admission: One Shilling, a touring show, demonstrates Routledge’s dedication to artistic integrity.
She recalls seeing one of Hess’s wartime concerts as a schoolgirl in Birkenhead. The show involves Routledge reading interviews with Hess while pianist Piers Lane recreates some of her most famous performances.
“Her whole style was wonderful. Her commitment to the music,” Routledge praises. “There’s no ‘throwing yourself about the keyboard.’ It’s the same for acting. There are some brilliant actors today, but you’re conscious of technique.”
Throughout her career, Routledge has been drawn to roles that showcase great writing, a passion that has shaped her choices. From her early days in rep at the Liverpool Playhouse to her collaborations with playwright Alan Bennett, Routledge has gravitated towards well-crafted, rich language.
She’s vocal about her frustration with the abuse of language in contemporary culture. “There’s a fashion abroad to speak the language as badly as possible. I’d like to start a society for the reinstatement of the letter ‘t’ and the banishment of the glottal stop,” she laughs, channeling her inner Hyacinth.
Yet it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Routledge expressed her frustration in 2008 when the BBC decided to cancel Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, a decision she felt was made with little courtesy or respect for the cast. Although she didn’t think ageism was a factor at the time, she admits, “In retrospect, yes.”
Despite these setbacks, Routledge remains devoted to her craft, continuing to perform and engage with her fans.
The actress still receives fan mail from across the world and tries to reply to every letter. Some of her favorite messages come from young boys, who share stories of their fathers laughing at her portrayal of Hyacinth.
“There are people like Mrs. B everywhere,” she chuckles, clearly proud of the lasting impact her character has made.
Even though Hyacinth has become the role most closely associated with her, Routledge doesn’t see it as a burden. “If a good number of people come into a theatre because they know me from the dreaded Mrs. B, I couldn’t be happier,” she says.
It’s a testament to her enduring charm that, even after all these years, the character remains an integral part of her life, even as she embraces new challenges.
For Patricia Routledge, the stage is never far behind, and it’s clear that, at 93, she’s still just as committed to the craft as she was when she first began. Whether it’s performing at the National Theatre or reading from the King James Bible, she remains an indomitable force in the world of theatre.
