Ghosts | Lady Button Complains to the Titanic (Live at the Gillian Lynne Theatre)

🚢 "Granted, there was an iceberg-related operational complication…" Live on-stage, Martha Howe Douglas reads Fanny Button's hilarious letter to the 'heel-dragging' employees of the RMS Titanic, from the BBC programme's new companion book: The Button House Archives.
In the company of Bridget Christie, the cast of Ghosts also reflect on how the characters' voices and physicality have evolved over the course of the series.
An Evening with the Cast of Ghosts was originally broadcast on Sun 29 Oct live from the Gillian Lynne Theatre, in London.
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To discover more Fane events, visit fane.co.uk/whats-on
#Ghosts #BBCGhosts #LadyButton #FannyButton #HorribleHistories #UKComedy #Comedy

[@gilgameshofuruk4060]

I can just imagine Lady Button being annoyed that she missed ⅞ of a perfectly enjoyable voyage.

[@indigoziona]

This is just magnificent. Something about seeing Martha Howe-Douglas put the character of Fanny on makes me realise how fantastic an actor she is.

[@hotdog1214]

Totally agree. She's my favourite character on Ghosts. I saw her in something else a while back, took me ages to realise who she was, not due to poor recognition but purely because she played the characters so differently. She's awfully terrific (in best Lady Button voice) 😉😉

[@Mortthemoose]

She's amazing....she even does something with her neck, to look different.

[@amystuckey5900]

She’s amazing!

[@krighart1507]

The way she said the line “By her teeth alone” had me in stitches.😂

[@DeaconWilliamBrodie]

The best show on the BBC. It will be greatly missed. 😢

[@markdaly1648]

As the show comes to end, the final season seems rushed or something. The writing on the final season seems odd to me. I understand they had to reveal what happen to the button clan.

[@BanditSookies_aunt]

I miss them already 😢 They are just talented people and they are like dear old friends.

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

That is a low bar, though.

[@oliviadaly4795]

​@markdaly1648 I kind of sort of get what you're saying. I loved the first half of S5, but E4 was just odd for me, and I really found Obi's storyline weak in the last ep. (Skipped thru it the 2nd time I watched). I loved E5 and Cap's death (I didnt cry, but I 100% will when I rewatch that ep with my aunt. But like S4 E4 I was too numb to react to it the first time I believe) , which IMO should have been the last episode (ie have E5 and 6 switched). They are doing a very final Christmas special and I guess didn't want everyone to cry twice in 8 weeks. I have every faith they can pull it off incredibly well.

[@stockwellsantley6606]

I honestly don't know why they've cancelled it. Stupid decision.

[@cruising1792]

In my view, this is just about one of the most talented groups of people in the business. Fabulous characters, Ghosts has brought me so much pleasure, so many laughs, such wonderful characters. An eternal favourite for me.

[@galelascala105]

Yes! Delightful group of actors and Ghosts are a wonderful show. I'll really miss it.

[@lilliankeane5731]

Yes, i agree with you, i feel exactly the same about the cast, they are absolutely brilliant actors.

[@tracieb4085]

There brilliant in Horrible history's

[@seyioyetade]

Watch wonderland 😅😅😅😅 so funny ​@@tracieb4085

[@idkwhatimdoing675]

I adore the idiots lantern company They're all incredible

[@kittycattt93]

"Bear with me, I've had a wine!" lmfao love her & the Ghosts creator's/cast so much 😂

[@JavertRA]

I love how she keeps cracking up but still manages to hold the character.

[@patriciamcgivern2642]

My favourite is Robin the Caveman. He is full of surprises

[@juliamcwilliam]

I always found him rather attractive lol

[@GavTatu]

ok, i'm just going to have to say it.....i love Martha's Fanny.

[@spamhead]

Yes, I like Fanny too.

[@Zach90888]

I’m completely obsessed with Fanny

[@RIXRADvidz]

The skill, the talent, the dedication to the craft, and you get Lady Button on stage demanding repayment for the 7/8ths of the journey that would have been enjoyable. LOL !!! The writing the acting all Superb on this show, you can tell they loved doing it

[@philparr2724]

I love the Horrible History mob, Ghosts has to be the best thing on tv since Black Adder, the team are super, I will miss them all, but hope for prequels

[@TrudyMB]

I'm laughing so much I woke the dear dog up! Love Martha Howe-Douglas's Fanny Button so much! 😂👻

[@jeanrobinson705]

I love her wonderful "disapproving" face. I'm getting quite good at it!

[@AngelicusImmortus]

From every blade of grass to the slates of the Roof, Ghosts is Golden. long may these guys continue to work and perform together for many more years.

[@Mortthemoose]

The series has ended now 😔

[@dominofalling2038]

They are a writing team, so we look forward to their future projects together.

[@oliviadaly4795]

​@@Mortthemooseluckily they've been working together since 2009 (and have done lots of other brilliant stuff) and are already discussing future projects. Including the possibility of a Ghosts film if the script/timing are right, and they can get funding

[@emmyjo720]

Martha and Ben are the masters of voices

[@Jenny46901]

This is absolutely fabulous. I am in tears!!!! This is my most favorite show EVER. I'm American and the lengths I have gone to, to watch this show... well, it's not been entirely legal. :) This video is spectacular!!! OMG I love you all.

[@samd1571]

I saw a bit of the American version does not work, everytime America takes a British show it ends up ruining it British comedy the best.

[@Jenny46901]

@@samd1571 Absolutely. The American show is so bland and un-funny to me. I only watched 2 episodes before turning it off. I have watched every episode of the BBC show 4 or 5 times. I have also ordered this book. Free shipping to the US from Blackwell's! I can't wait for it to arrive!

[@TiaCatR]

I too have gone to those same lengths! It's just the BEST show!

[@tricia9559]

The book is as amazing as the tv series- it’s a gem

[@janmitchell641]

Martha Howe-Douglas is brilliant!

[@annettegill9023]

That was my favourite bit of the whole evening. Dear old Lady Button...

[@jillianpurdy2542]

Fantastic, these guys are simply amazing. Loved them since 'Horrible Histories', so sad that after the 2023 Christmas special they won't be making any more 🥺 hopefully they have their next project in mind 🤞🙏 xx

[@adrianrutterford762]

Wonderful. Thank you. Such talented, creative and funny people. Can’t hear Martha doing a Lady Button without hearing two words the first of which is “Gentleman’s”.

[@just-tess]

aaaAAAHHH *prophylactic*

[@spider46531]

At first I thought it was a real letter!! And then it went further. I loved it

[@emmybm15]

Good gosh do I love Martha, absolutely brilliant 😂 I love her pronunciation of Titanic 🤣

[@christinehales4222]

My favourite character ,her facial expressions were amazing

[@lepagenovembre]

Amazing! I was so glad Martha HD got to really stretch her amazing talent in this show. I feel like in previous projects she has played the straight woman a lot, she did so wonderfully but I am so glad she got to have fun and be this hilarious!

[@Jamie_Pritchard]

I dread the day this team decide to hang up their hats. They just go from strength to strength!

[@carolynhaywood7701]

One of the best series ever made, fantastic actors and scripts, I’m really going to miss it.

[@CherryHavoc]

This is the first time I've heard Martha's real voice and I am blown away!

[@MarkHewitt1978]

I really hope the entire gang go onto do another project, they are far too good together not to.

[@krashd]

They will, they've been working together for 15 years now.

[@pipoo1]

Larry said in an interview that he and Martha are writing together for a new project. Whether that's for the 6 of them to play a part in or not is another matter but they clearly aren't done working together as a group.

[@samd1571]

Love their film bill based on Shakespeare.

[@oliviadaly4795]

​@@pipoo1I think Ben is also working on something And rhe guys said if the script/timing is right, and if they can get the funding, they'd love to do a Ghoats movie like Downton Abbey did.

[@therealjetlag]

I am completely gutted that Ghosts is finishing. It’s my favourite show.

[@williamjamison5010]

Very sorry that the show is ending. It's just about the best thing on TV.

[@ohwiseowl9163]

Just fantastic group of such talent , will miss ghosts very much 🇬🇧❤

[@SunnieGirl63]

By far one of the best shows ever! Much love to all.

[@elliotttalksf1825]

These are the most talented group of writers/actors going

[@madelinesullivan2629]

I hope they do something else together they all are the most wonderful actors and have brought such joy to our family over the years with entertainment will miss ghosts. There’s not much on TV that you can all sit down and watch these days that makes you laugh and is of such calibre.

[@elainepannell2858]

This is so funny! I live in Southampton and to start with, I thought it was a genuine letter! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@dellyf3873]

Omg hilarious! Love her ❤

[@elijahjoel537]

Hmmm, I wonder if Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced bouquet) has some Button ancestors 😅

[@rosering02]

Martha's delivery is absolutely hilarious! Fanny is the equivalent of an Edwardian Karen with a slice of Anne Widdicome and Downton Abbey's Dame Maggie Smith for good measure.

[@KathyGraves1]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!!!!

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

This is excellant, but I can not help but yearn to hear it read by Dame Patricia Routledge, aka Hyacinth Buck...er, Bouquet. I think that she and Lady Button would make quite the team.

[@nicholacourtney5740]

A comic relief sketch right there haha.

[@lauracrimson]

just imagine the candlelight suppers..

[@hrhargyll]

Amazing!

[@just-tess]

they are all so gosh darn cute! Larry giving her a thumbs up! 🥰4:13

[@timber72]

Masterpiece.

[@louem2491]

Martha is truly a gift!!!

[@ianbaruch]

Terribly Brilliant my dear.

[@iMcWatch]

i just loved ghosts, I just finished bingewatching all the episodes. I do hope there will be more

[@oliviadaly4795]

Sadly, that's it. 5 series and one final Christmas special in a few weeks to wrap everything up with a bow. They have been working together since 2009 and are already discussing new projects though ❤

[@qtmelly2012]

Terrific! 😂❤

[@Mortthemoose]

There series has ended now 😔....but i think there's going to be a Christmas special. I loved this series! So original.

[@Jamie_Pritchard]

I'm genuinely so upset to see it go! Everything these guys (and gal) do is fantastic!

[@gromit0299]

I miss Fanny, too. Miss them all. 😢

[@JJ-dx2pn]

Amazing great actors shame it's coming to an end.

[@marks6928]

She is fantastic. So funny.

[@pattykauth2431]

I'm addicted to Ghosts!

[@avrilmitchellgriffiths7307]

Totally totally love these guys. Ghosts is my favourite.gotta be honest.

[@elisetaylor9228]

Brilliant

[@patstephenso7206]

Brilliant 😂😂😂

[@ellec9855]

Yes Martha! You tell ‘em! Birmingham and the surrounding areas aren’t the South, and they’re not the North! They’re the middle 🤣

[@sadiebanks7856]

😂fantastic! 😅

[@Bessie66]

Love it 😂

[@heleng1901]

brilliant series, lost count of the times i've watched it.

[@chrisleneil]

Martha is a genius!

[@missp8627]

Excellent

[@owenseago1070]

One of the greatest pieces of theatre ever!!!

[@markthomas9568]

My little girl is a big fan of the show but i cannot let her watch this because i have got her the book for xmas.

[@michellebyrom6551]

You can save it for bedtime on Christmas Day. ;)

[@ElizabethCarterMedia]

😂😂😂 Love this

[@douglasmaddox7808]

It's comforting to know that Karens (in the form of Lady Button) existed back then. Brilliantly read & performed.

[@oliviaball7690]

I loved ghosts and loved horrible histories as a kid and will always love these people

[@KRPTV]

I literally had no idea until recently that it was her who played Fanny, I remember her from The Office Christmas special!

[@dumdum6280]

The way she says "Titanic."

[@buffplums]

Haha love that name Fanny Button …Fanny Fun Button hahah

[@GoddessNeith]

Completely wicked funny! now if only the USA could get series 4 and 5.

[@Italiana911]

Hilarious 😂

[@onkelseverus]

I'm glad to see/hear, Lady Button is still doing her math.

[@kimyongin1987]

I got an idea. Let's have a radio version of Ghosts!

[@YagwitOG]

Wow, many thanks to Martha Howe-Douglas for that performance 😂

[@lukesmith5018]

This sounds like Peter and Judith's holiday from hell in come fly with me

[@ahtaimo]

If Hyacinth Bucket had lived in 1912!

[@safeerah_6690]

❤

[@alanguest1979]

I would love to hear the Thomas Thorne version of “I should be so lucky” as a C19th poem!

[@naomania3619]

Oh I can definitely see echos of Anne Widdicombe 😂

[@RLReagan]

I think the show is brilliant. However I do like her counterpart, “Heddy” on the American show a bit more clever and elitist. Still, I must admit the US vs UK is a good play on one another. I love them both and hope to see many more of each soon.

[@Bcsmith333]

Does anyone know where I can watch this entire interview please?

[@ningrlpwr]

I already have the book. Is there an option to just stream the event without a book purchase?

[@faneproductions]

Hello, unfortunately it is only possible to purchase a Stream + Book ticket for this event. Thanks.

[@oliviadaly4795]

Sadly no. I had tickets to go to the live event and my companion couldn't make it last min (found someone else to go with) so bought a streaming ticket to watch it later this week with him, and my theatre tickets ended up coming with a copy of the book too. That plus the tickets to the Waterstones book signing I purchased that also include a copy of the book, means I will now have 3 copies of the book! IMO it's a bit short sighted of FANE to not offer the chance to purchase the stream without the book, as so many would have pre ordered the book and then get stuck with an additional copy

[@ningrlpwr]

@@oliviadaly4795 I agree. There should be just a streaming option.

[@valap_]

I only know actors from across the pond because of this show and Taskmaster.

[@tnp1047]

Anyone else thinking of Rose floating on the board during this?😂

[@edtilsley]

Where can we see the un-broadcast teaser ??

[@oliviadaly4795]

I don't think they'll ever release the unbroadcast pilot. Hopefully on the boxset or something one day though. I'd love to see it too.

[@just-tess]

not until Ben's dead! kzbin.info/www/bejne/farHdaGff7R2gas

[@angelaburrow8114]

I much prefer Lady Button to Anne Widdecombe. At least Fanny has redeeming qualities, such as strength of character & loyalty to friends & family, plus she learns through her experiences.

[@dubbingsync]

Wow Lady B really said they would have rather died on the ship rather than have a Poor take their spot.

[@krashd]

No, they were just incensed at losing out and were demanding a refund.

[@angelamorgan7537]

😢

[@samd1571]

Was hoping for Xmas special were the ghosts actually met the baby.

[@oliviadaly4795]

There is one upcoming on Christmas Day. Whether they meet the baby is yet to be seen.

[@ddhu5396]

...is this letter real???

[@davemison]

she speaks of a 'pre production teaser' has anyone seen this?

[@just-tess]

nope! kzbin.info/www/bejne/farHdaGff7R2gas

[@judithdomangue9995]

Please sell DVDs that will work in the USA, thank you.

[@Gobi512]

Amazon sells all region dvd players which will play dvds from the uk

[@krashd]

You can also just search your make and model of player online and see if it is unlockable, most DVD players can be region unlocked by entering a code into the remote control. First thing I always did when buying DVD or BD players.

[@Seal0626]

...that can't possibly be a real letter, can it?

[@stephaniepage4334]

Is alison fanny biological great great great great granddaughter because according to family tree very first episode Heather was alison cousins twice removed?

[@Daxsymbiote]

The ealiest recorded 'Karen' in history? Also, Fanny Button? Isn't that the cl*tor*s? (Childsih I know, but UK readers should get it ;-)

[@GavTatu]

hmm, never realised that before !

[@sazrainbow]

That's the joke

[@LordHorst]

They make some jokes about the name throughout the series. Like one character (might be Lady Button, even) saying they don't like double-entendres.

[@oliviadaly4795]

Yep her name basically means 'vagina clit'😂 I've been watching with my aunt, and we were talking about how the Americans (as the UK version is now being shown there on CBS) won't get Fanny Button bc Fanny means something else there. She knew the UK meaning of the first bit (I think. I hope 😂) but had forgotten the 2nd. So embarrassing having to explain to her (she's about 20 yrs older than Martha) and being 'sucked off' as well. Wasn't sure if she knew what that meant so explained it and ended up using my cousin and her bf as an example as they're the first people I could think of 🤮

[@userunknown19]

"Oh no! Fanny's exposed!" 😂

[@trishtraynor]

I can't watch her character although I love the show. The face she makes causes real unease!

[@SharonJackson13]

Do I REALLY have to listen to a THREE MINUTE ad before I hear her??? SERIOUSLY this is stupid.

[@imfpredicts]

You don't. Just skip or refresh dude.

[@IAMPLEDGE]

No. Get an ad blocker. They are capable of removing most adverts.

[@somerandomguy2073]

Who still deals with ads on KZbin?

[@krashd]

@@somerandomguy2073 People who believe creators should be paid for their creations.

[@MrC-ov1ht]

She’s a Karen

[@1960dave1960]

Not at all funny, vaguely amusing but that’s all…..

[@dulciemidwinter1925]

You need a humour transplant! Asap!

[@AnyoneGuild]

Might be a controversial opinion but it comes from a place of love. Please stop adding “bloopers” they might be funny to you but they are pretty cringe.