Most people know Patricia Routledge as Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances—a character famous for her, let’s just say, “unique” singing voice. But long before sitcom fame, Routledge was an accomplished stage actress and a genuinely wonderful singer. Here she is in the 1970s performing “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face”—and it’s absolute proof of her artistry. Smooth phrasing, warm tone, and a presence that reminds us why she’s so beloved both as a comedienne and as a performer with true

Another wonderful post featuring Patricia Routledge—best known to many as Hyacinth Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances, but also a truly remarkable singer and actress. In this clip from The Pirates of Penzance, she takes on “When Frederic Was a Little Lad” with her trademark wit, crystal-clear diction, and comedic sparkle. Gilbert & Sullivan’s operettas demand both vocal skill and razor-sharp timing, and Routledge delivers both effortlessly. It’s such a delight to be reminded that behind the sitc