THE VETERAN TV star behind household name characters like Hyacinth ‘Bouquet’ Bucket and Hetty Wainthropp will perform a one-of show at Rugby Theatre this weekend as part of the Rugby Festival of Culture.
Patricia Routledge will be at the Henry Street venue on Sunday (June 28) at 3pm with her acclaimed ‘audience with’ piece Facing The Music, which chronicles her 60 years in showbiz.
Best known as the snobbish Hyacinth Bucket in the TV sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, she also starred in the popular detective series Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, and had roles in Victoria Wood As Seen On TV and Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads.
But she will tell the audience of her sparkling career in musical theatre both in the UK and on Broadway, before she became a screen star.
She won a prestigious Tony Award in 1968 for her performance in the musical Darling of the Day, and was rewarded with an Olivier in 1988 for her portrayal of the Old Lady in the critically acclaimed Scottish Opera production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide.
In this weekend’s intimate 90-minute show, the 86-year-old star will talk with Radio 3 broadcaster and writer Edward Seckerson about her remarkable life.
Alan Pavis, artistic director at Rugby Theatre, said: “It’s a real thrill for everyone at the theatre to have West End and Broadway legend Patricia Routledge here on our stage.
“I remember loving her brilliant monologues in Victoria Wood’s TV show back in the 1980s, and then seeing her doing Alan Bennett’s wonderful Talking Heads series.
“But, of course, she’s so much more than just a brilliant TV actor.
“She was brought up in musicals and operetta, so it will be fascinating to hear her stories and reminiscences.”
Tickets are available from the Rugby Theatre website at www.rugbytheatre.co.uk or from the box office on 01788 541234.
*A DRAMA group for independent adults with learning disabilities will perform their own unique version of the story The Moon as part of the Rugby Festival of Culture.
The production – featuring storytelling, drama, original songs and live music – has been devised by the group alongside professional storyteller Cath Edwards and local musician Andrew Rackham.
The performance takes place in St Andrew’s Church on Tuesday (June 30) at 7.30pm. Entry is free.
For more information call Kate on 07816 575156 or Rowen on 07817 189948.
