Digging Up Appearances at Old Red Lion Theatre Review
Written by Philip for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Returning to the Old Red Lion Theatre this February, Digging Up Appearances, produced by Medium Rare Productions, is an absolute delight. A very dark comedy parody that takes a much loved character from a much loved series and turns them upside down.
The play centres on Sheridan Bucket—that’s bouquet, using the French pronunciation—the son of the infamous Hyacinth Bucket, immortalised by Dame Patricia Routledge in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. Sheridan is navigating life in the aftermath of the breakdown of his marriage to husband Alan. Over the course of a therapy session, he recounts what can only be described as a week from hell—and what a week it is. Sheridan’s long-dead mother Hyacinth, has returned from beyond the grave, summoned by a mysterious talisman. As if her resurrection weren’t unsettling enough, she has also developed a thirst for blood.
This ‘Medium Rare Production’ is a rip-roaring romp that keeps the audience laughing from beginning to end. The script is razor-sharp, packed with clever callbacks to the beloved sitcom, which fans will relish. It strikes an impressive balance between affectionate parody and inventive originality, elevated further by two outstanding performances.
Anton Tweedale delivers a wonderfully nuanced portrayal of a downtrodden and emotionally fragile Sheridan. His performance is immediately endearing, drawing genuine sympathy as he grapples not only with heartbreak but also with the uniquely harrowing prospect of his mother returning from the dead. Tweedale’s warmth and comic timing make for a compelling and heartfelt turn.
Opposite him, Jack Robertson is sublime as Hyacinth Bucket herself. He captures the essence of Routledge’s iconic performance while confidently adding his own delicious twist. Every familiar quirk and mannerism is present, executed with precision and flair. The chemistry between the two performers is exceptional, evoking the spirit of a lost episode of Keeping Up Appearances, with the dynamic between Hyacinth and Richard cleverly reimagined as that between Hyacinth and her son. Together, they hold the audience rapt for the best part of an hour, and it is an absolute joy to watch.
The writing is sharp, witty, and unapologetically playful, brimming with in-jokes, double entendres, and puns—alongside a satisfyingly gory edge. It is a horror-inflected twist on traditional parody that works brilliantly.
Digging Up Appearances deserves a long life beyond this run. In the meantime, audiences can catch a special Mother’s Day performance at the Old Red Lion Theatre on 15 March 2026—an unmissable treat.
★★★★
