London's West End theatres are set to dim their lights in a special tribute to Dame Penelope Keith, the acclaimed actress whose death at 86 was announced on Monday. Revered as 'one of this country’s most venerated actors,' Dame Penelope was widely celebrated for her iconic television roles as Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life and Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in To The Manor Born.
Tribute Details and Industry Response
The Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre confirmed the two-minute tribute will take place at 7pm on Wednesday. Claire Walker, co-chief executive, said: 'We are proud to come together as an industry and honour the life and extraordinarily prolific career of Dame Penelope Keith, who will undoubtedly be remembered for many years to come as one of this country’s most venerated actors. We offer condolences to her loved ones and all who knew her.'
Stage Career and Awards
Dame Penelope also enjoyed a distinguished stage career, beginning in repertory theatre and joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963. She secured the 1976 Olivier Award for best comedy performance for Donkeys’ Years. Her theatrical work continued, including Lady Bracknell in the 2008 West End production of The Importance Of Being Earnest and leading a 2022 touring production of Two Cigarettes In The Dark.
Tributes from Fellow Celebrities
Famous faces paying tribute include comedian and Great British Bake Off former presenter Sue Perkins and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth. Perkins hailed Dame Penelope as 'queen, legend, icon,' adding on Instagram: 'Creator of some of the greatest sitcom characters of all time.' Brandreth remembered the actress as 'such a special lady,' writing on X: 'A wonderful actress, a real friend, so funny, so generous with the time she gave to good causes. Hers was indeed a good life.'
Felicity Kendal, her co-star in The Good Life, remembered Dame Penelope as a 'comic genius' who was 'a joy to know and work with.' In her statement, Kendal said: 'I am deeply saddened to hear of my friend Penelope’s death. The shows I worked on with her were such special times in our lives and demonstrated her comic genius. My heart goes out to her beloved Rodney at this time, theirs was a great love story and partnership. She was a joy to know and work with, and she will be much missed.'
Legacy and Other Roles
As well as her roles in The Good Life and To The Manor Born, Dame Penelope also appeared in sitcoms Executive Stress, No Job For A Lady and Next Of Kin, and won a Bafta for a TV adaptation of The Norman Conquests, in a role she reprised after a run on stage.
