Penelope Keith, the celebrated actor who passed away at 86, earned widespread acclaim for her portrayal of sophisticated, yet mischievous characters in iconic television sitcoms like The Good Life and To the Manor Born. Her signature style, a refined hauteur infused with playful wit, was not merely a performance; it was a reflection of her genuine personality.
I had the privilege of knowing Penny when I worked at the Lincoln Theatre Royal in the early 1960s, where she was part of the resident company. I vividly remember her attending a large exhibition of local art in the theatre’s foyer. With an air of magisterial authority, she surveyed the works and declared, “Busy lady!” before making a graceful exit. Such poise and confidence in a 23-year-old were truly remarkable. Her inherent playfulness was evident even then.
A year or so later, I encountered Penny taking on smaller roles at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Even as part of the crowd in Julius Caesar, she managed to create a stir. During Mark Antony’s address to the citizens, urging them to lend him their ears, her voice distinctly cut through the throng with a cheeky cry of “Ave an ear then.” It was clear she was destined for greater roles. Indeed, she later starred as a sharp-tongued victim in the first play I ever reviewed for *The Guardian*, Francis Durbridge’s Suddenly at Home, in 1971.