Mail Online

HAS IT STOOD THE TEST OF TIME?

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES

COMEDY ABOUT CLASS

A lethal combination of snob, show-off and battleaxe, Patricia Routledge’s Hyacinth Bucket – pronounced, at her insistence, ‘bouquet’ – was a mainstay of the comedy schedules in the first half of the 90s. Buxom and bouffant, Hyacinth (right) had ideas above her station in this classic swipe at upward mobility and the British obsession with class. For all her airs and graces, Hyacinth hailed from workingclass stock and would lose all her poise when reminded of her roots – usually when her sisters Daisy and Rose and vest-wearing, rust-bucketdriving brother-in-law Onslow burst onto the scene. When she was in a flap, Hyacinth’s more earthy tones could sometimes be heard and even though she was hard work – especially for weary husband Richard (Clive Swift) – we didn’t hold it against her. Her misplaced airs and graces were just too entertaining – as she put poor neighbour Liz on edge, pestered the vicar, or boasted about her absent son Sheridan, who only ever called her when he wanted money.

BBC IPLAYER

en-gb

2022-05-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://mailonline.pressreader.com/article/281998971066033

dmg media (UK)