Patricia Routledge - Facing The Music

It is still one of the best kept secrets in show business that Patricia Routledge trained not only as an actress but also as a singer and had considerable experience and success in musical theatre, both in this country and in the United States of America.

Her many awards include a Tony for her Broadway performance in the Styne-Harburg musical Darling of the Day (1967) and a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in Leonard Bernstein's Candide (Old Vic 1989). Her one woman show Come For The Ride toured the UK in 1988 and in 1992 she played Nettie Fowler in the highly acclaimed production of Carousel at the National Theatre.In 1998 she was honoured with the Gold Badge of Merit by the Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors.

Edward Seckerson's diligent discovery of her 'musical life' makes for a fascinating evening.

Writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson is Chief Classical Music and Opera Critic for The Independent and a founder member of The Arts Desk.Com. He wrote and presented the long-running BBC Radio 3 series Stage Screen in which he interviewed many of the most prominent writers and stars of musical theatre. He leads a fascinating conversation with Patricia about her enthralling career as an actress.