Penelope Keith, currently on tour in a classic JB Priestley play, tells Prime Time why she enjoys being 'the matriarch'...

PENELOPE Keith is renowned for her cut-glass accent and portrayal of cult sit-com social climber Margo Ledbetter in the BBC's The Good Life - but the actress claims she is certainly not a one-trick pony.

Penelope, preparing to wow audiences in JB Priestley's Time and the Conways, believes her career speaks for itself. She has certainly proved her worth treading the boards in Royal Shakespeare Company and West End productions.

She said: "I have not spent longer than two years away from the theatre and my roots are there - I've always got my toe there!

"People do know me for my theatre work as well and I've just been lucky. I do like the variety of the things I do - even when I did Good Life I was doing other things, like plays and a book for Woman's Hour in the afternoon. Nowadays people seem to get stuck in ruts and become known for one thing.

"When I started out you did everything and there was a big variety of work around. I think it is a shame now because it did mean a lot of training was done on the job - you cannot practice on your own as an actor."

Penelope's portrayal of the snooty Margo, and even snootier Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in the sitcom To The Manor Born, has made her something of a trans-atlantic star. The classic BBC shows are screened in the States, and while the actor's anonymity has not been completely eroded she does admit to being recognised by one or two fans.

"I remember walking down Fifth Avenue once and someone recognising me. The difference about America is that I get letters from people saying it is amazing how different the parts I play are.

"People are now sophisticated enough to realise actors and actresses are not the characters they play."

And in Penelope's case that is certainly true.

A keen conservationist and gardener, she was this year appointed the first patron of Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which has led to her involvement in several conservation initiatives. She also held the office of High Sheriff of Surrey last year, during which time she helped promote the work of the voluntary services.

In her current play Penelope takes on the role of the Conway clan's vivacious matriarch, with the play set between the two world wars.

She said: "The play is fascinating because there is quite a lot about the First World War and people realise the horrors of it all. That was the war to end all wars and we have been at war ever since.

"I am very much the older person in it but when we are doing the play we are all actors together. I have enjoyed working with the younger cast and it is certainly wonderful to be a matriarch."

The play begins in 1919 when the Conways are celebrating Kay's 21st birthday and the safe return of both sons from the war. Property prices are booming and dreams of a brave new world dominate the conversation. The scene then jumps to 1938 with a dramatic irony dominating each character's look, remark and gesture.

Penelope said: "I am now in the happy position of being able to pick and choose what I do.

"I have never done a Priestley and the concept of the play is fascinating - he was such a great, great writer and my character leaps off the page."