Cast of Downton Abbey L-R: Carson, Mrs. Hughes, Thomas, Mrs. Patmore, Daisy, O’Brien, Anna, Mr. Bates, Branson, Lady Sybil, Mrs. Levinson, Lady Grantham (dowager Countess), Lord Grantham, Lady Grantham, Matthew Crawley, Lady Mary, Lady Edith, Mrs. Crawley (names most used in the script)

By MAGGIE M, Editor, http://thewedge.LIVE

“I watch Downton Abbey,” this writer’s brother unreservedly admits. This is no delicate man; he is married, owns much property and is a busy, Senior Engineer in aerospace. It seems, the audience is far wider than I was aware.

The British television series has captured the hearts of millions, not the least of which, the British, Scottish and Irish, here in the wedge and especially in Perth.

Crossroads Tea Room, Perth, Ontario PHOTO BY the wedge.LIVE

Perth celebrated Downton Abbey at the Crystal Palace June 4th, 2016. Jill McKenna, Owner, Crossroads Tea Room, was the organizer of Downton Abbey High Tea.

Crossroads entertained and served authentic, ‘high tea’ to 200 guests dressed in 20s flapper-style. Some masqueraded as their favorite characters: Lady Mary, the dowager Countess and a few maids. St. Andrew’s Baroque Ensemble, dressed in Downton style, played their theme song on a baby grand piano.

Crossroads Tea Room staff and volunteers June 4, 2016, Downton Abbey High Tea, Crystal Palace, Perth. L – R:  Nancy North, Drina and Christina Hunick, Debbie and Graham Bayliss (Mr. Bates), Jackie Mundy, Caroline Hunick, Jill McKenna, Don McKenna (Carson), Dawn King and Donna Sproule kneeling.

Authentic ‘high tea’, fresh scones, Devon cream and preserves, is a daily ritual at the Crossroads. It is also where memories of the series erupt in conversation regularly. At present, the tea room is for sale; it will change hands soon. McKenna aims to reduce her workload; but, will stay in “the food business” nearby.

Fingertip sandwiches were ever-present in Downton Abbey series.

THE DOWNTON ABBEY FALLOUT

“I was very sad when I heard it was going to end,” McKenna emotes.

Alas! Downton Abbey ended with its final Series 6 in 2015.  This decision orphaned millions of viewers around the globe, separating them from their imaginary family and friends.

I can enter any establishment and say, “Downton Abbey,” and strangers will immediately rapture about Lady Mary, Mr. Bates, Mrs. Hughes, Carson, their favorite characters, their plights and good fortune. It seems an odd rite of passage from reality to reverie.

Highclere Castle, Hampshire, U.K. site of Downton Abbey series

CANADIAN CONNECTION TO DOWNTON ABBEY

Sir John A. MacDonald penned much of Canada’s constitution in 1866 at Highclere Castle, the proper name of the Downton Abbey site, Hampshire, U.K. Lord Carnarvon, Minister in charge of British colonies and Lord of the country house, evidently had a hand in the history of our nation.

Today, the castle is the home of Lady Carnarvon. I am reminded of supercilious Lady Mary saying, “Our people inherit, your people buy.” The class divide was the heart of conflict throughout the series; this makes for good drama.

Beautiful tea sets at Downton Abbey High Tea, an event by Crossroads Tea Room

DOWNTON ABBEY CONFLICTS

“What is a weekend?”, the dowager Countess of Grantham asks as they dine with Matthew Crawley, a middle-class, “country solicitor”, and distant cousin of Lord Grantham. The ruling class simply did not have “jobs” or work–this was beneath them. They did not lift a hand to dress or undress themselves; ladies’ maids and valets were essential hires. This is an awakening to many viewers not privy to the aristocracy’s mindset.

British inheritance laws in the edicts of the infamous ‘entail’, were discriminating by today’s standards. Daughters could not inherit, only sons, or males next-in-line. Marrying Lady Mary to the recipient of the entail would keep the money in the dynasty. This was the undermining theme throughout the series.

DOWNTON ABBEY COMEDY

It may seem an oxymoron to use the term ‘comedy’. But the dowager Countess and Mrs. Patmore, the cook, provided levity.

Often formal wear would ‘disappear’ and Grantham men appeared in dinner jackets instead of formal tails and white ties. The dowager and family where aghast! I almost spit my tea, when the dowager tapped her son’s chest (Lord Grantham) requesting a drink, saying, “O! I’m sorry I thought you were a waiter.” By some ruse, his formal habit had disappeared. To the aristocracy tradition, appearances, were essential.

MOTHER’S DAY AT DOWNTON

The series is available in DVD box sets and also on Netflix. The Crossroads would have been the next best thing; but, it is fully booked. Maybe Monday…

DOWNTON REVISITED

McKenna is considering an encore with another Downton event this Summer in Perth. I would dress up as Mr. Bates, the paragon of virtue in the tale; but, being a woman I will settle on Mrs. Hughes. Or maybe I’ll just wear a towering wide-brim hat as I shoot pictures and capture words.

Don McKenna in Downton form at Perth event 2016

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