INTERVIEW: Kim Hartman

In stark contrast to her iconic role as the domineering Private Helga Geerhart in ’Allo, ’Allo, Kim Hartman is currently starring as Hyacinth Bucket’s nervy next-door-neighbour, Elizabeth Warden, in the stage version of Keeping Up Appearances. Ahead of her stop-off at Darlington, she took time out to chat to Steve Burbridge

Famed for plaits piled high upon her head, bright red lipstick, a penchant for saucy lingerie and her unrequited passion for Herr Flick, the formidable Private Helga Geerhart was one of the most popular characters in the much-loved sit-com, ’Allo, ’Allo. Such was the success of the series that it notched up an incredible 96 episodes over the period of a decade, polling at number 13 in a survey of Britain’s 100 Best Sit-coms.

‘To play such a funny and iconic character as Helga was just the best,’ says Kim. ‘I could hardly have had a better part than that.’

She remembers her time in the show with the greatest affection.

‘It was just the best job ever’, recalls Kim. ‘When we started, we had no idea that we would end up working together for ten years. Originally, we hoped we’d get one or two series’ out of it, but it just ran and ran.’

The cast, which included Gordan Kaye, Vicki Michelle, Sue Hodge, Richard Gibson and the late Carmen Silvera, formed close friendships over the years, too.

‘We all got on so well and became such good friends that it really was a delight to go to work each day. From that point of view, being involved in something for such a long time was a big treat,’ says Kim.

Now, though, Kim is having a wonderful time starring in the stage production of another smash-hit sit-com, Keeping Up Appearances.

‘It’s absolutely hysterically funny,’ she reveals. ‘We’ve got a great cast including Steven Pinder, Gareth Hale and Rachel Bell, who is completely brilliant as Hyacinth. I’m really enjoying playing Elizabeth because having to try to perform a part the way someone else has already performed it adds a really interesting dimension.’

Some might ask ‘why bother paying for tickets to see the stage version of a show when I can stay at home and watch re-runs on cable and satellite channels?’

‘It’s not like some of the other stage adaptations of television comedies that have taken episodes and put them together,’ explains Kim. ‘The producers of the television programme have actually commissioned Roy Clarke to write a completely new story, so this is a whole new play in its own right.’

The story revolves around the snobbish Hyacinth Bucket’s attempts to land the leading role in the local amateur operatics society’s latest production, despite the despair of the director, Emmet Hawksworth.

‘I think we all know someone who is a bit like Hyacinth,’ says Kim. ‘Luckily though, I would say that such people are rare, rather than the norm, and that’s why we can laugh so much at her preoccupation with the class system and social climbing.’

Kim has been acting professionally for almost thirty-five years now. She trained at the prestigious Webber-Douglas Academy in London at the same time as Rula Lenska, Antony Sher and Anita Dobson, with whom she’s remained ‘great mates’.

‘It was a wonderful time, as you can imagine,’ says Kim. ‘It’s always the same, I think, when you’re a student – you’ve got your whole life ahead of you and you hope it’s all going to be so exciting.’

Indeed, Kim’s career has been varied and exciting. In addition to ’Allo, ’Allo, her television credits have included the role of science teacher Mrs Rawlinson in Grange Hill for three years, and guest appearances in Casualty and The Brittas Empire. On stage, she has played in productions of Hayfever, Relatively Speaking, Stepping Out and My Fat Friend. She also loves performing in pantomime, especially in her favourite role as Wicked Queen.

‘You get the best songs as the baddie and it’s a great part for getting the frustrations of the year out of your system,’ she admits.

Kim reveals that she gets a huge buzz from being on stage.

‘In the theatre you get the feedback from the audience immediately and that enables you to develop a connection with them. There are times when I still get very nervous and anxious, but I just think I’m incredibly lucky to do this job and I really love it.’

Kim also starred in the stage production of ’Allo, ’Allo, which toured the UK, Australia and New Zealand and was a sell out at The Prince of Wales Theatre and The London Palladium for two years. So, how did she feel when the role she created was performed by another actress, Nell Jerram, in last year’s stage show?

‘I haven’t really thought about it,’ she says, matter-of-factly. ‘It was impossible for me to go and see it because I was working on something else at the time, but I couldn’t actually imagine sitting there watching and listening to the stage show again, having performed in it so much myself. I know every line back-to-front and inside-out, so I’d probably be reciting all the lines with them!’

At the same time, Kim freely admits that if Josephine Tewson, the actress who played Elizabeth in Keeping Up Appearances on television, came to see the stage version she’d be more than a little daunted.

‘I’d be absolutely terrified,’ she says. ‘Although I hear she’s a really nice person, so I’d hope she’d be kind to me!’