Keeping Up Appearances

After three postponed candlelight suppers due to cancellations, lockdowns and venue restrictions due to Covid, the play Keeping Up Appearances has finally graced the Melbourne stage, where middle class soirées belong. Based on the beloved characters of the 90’s British comedy sitcom, Roy Clark has given us a play within a play.  

A murder mystery is being directed by the Buckets neighbours Emmet (Chris Churchward) and Elizabeth (Lisa Webster). After numerous attempts to stop her, our ‘self opined leading lady’ Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet by those that know what’s good for their social standing) joins the cast. Shortly thereafter, Hyacinth (Steph O’Gorman) has to eat humble pie (rather than cucumber sandwiches) and acquiesce to the role of ‘murderee’ and literally kicks the ‘bucket’ in the first act. If that’s not humiliating enough, her role in Act 2 is as a humble cook. And to make matters worse, local counsellor Mrs Debden (Lana Stojanovic) is looking for her. Reduced to the depths of imitating a lower class cook, Hyacinth has to prevent Mrs Debden from recognising her. 

But on the verge of delirium can she continue ‘keeping up appearances’?

The regular characters from the sitcom including Hyacinth’s husband Richard (Colin Sephton), sisters Rose (Grace Hart-Davies) and Daisy (Leane Maddren), brother-in-law Onslow (last minute stand-in Dean Mitrousis), son Sheridan (whom we finally hear speak for the first time) Daddy and the Vicar (both played by Aiden Coucaud) are all here. Additional characters are Milson (Paul Court), Mr Partington (Billy Hommelhoff) and Mrs Avery (Amber Watson). 

Steph O’Gorman’s portrayal of Hyacinth was outstanding. In her own words, she is “convinced she may be the first Indian woman to play the part!” Although the accent wasn’t entirely British, she did capture the inflections and mannerisms of Mrs Bucket’s voice and body language. Her energy and enthusiasm level was 100% the entire show!  All the leads were well cast and equally entertaining. Leane Maddren as Daisy, Dean Mitrousis as Onslow and Chris Churchward as Emmet were so good in their characterisations that occasionally I had to remind myself that they were not the original actors from the TV series.  

Even before the curtain opened the audience enjoyed the banter of Hyacinth and Richard off-stage. Then as the production took shape you could tell that the audience was getting a thrill seeing each new character introduced into the play. It was like stepping into an episode of the TV show. The set, decorated with hand painted fountains, flowers, plants, paintings and furniture suited the piece. The sound effects, including different ringtones for Hyacinth’s mobile phone, were very clever (who knew her ringtones are all songs from The Sound of Music?) 

MLOC’s first foray into straight plays has been very successful.

Co-directors Jane Court and Dean Mitrousis are to be congratulated for bringing life to Roy Clarke’s wordy, physical and at times ponderous script. The creative team have been successful in helping each cast member shine. As Hyacinth would put it: “I shall teach people to sparkle incandescently at their candlelight suppers.” On closing night there should be ‘bouquets’ all round!

Jonathan Cox

Photographer: Deb Jenkins