Above Stairs and Below Stairs
From butler to valets and footmen, from housekeepers to cooks, from housemaids to kitchen maids, the below stairs household members all had specific responsibilities to ensure that the house was run smoothly and efficiently. Everyone working on Gosford Park was particularly keen to ensure that there were no inaccuracies in the depiction of life below stairs. To this end, producer Levy secured the counsel of consulting experts who had been in domestic service in 1930s England. Once retained, they remained on hand to advise throughout filming.
Arthur Inch joined the project as the consultant butler, footman, and valet.
Born in 1915, Inch's father was a butler and his mother had been a housemaid.
He grew up in household service and, at age 15, he was trained by his father in all the arts of private service. Thus, while still a teenager, he was able to utter the immortal words: "Dinner is served, Madam."
During production, the now-retired Inch was on hand to advise all of the male actors portraying servants and household staff on how they should behave, dress, and carry themselves. Alan Bates marvels, "We all bow before him. He is the absolute genuine article, and he knows the jobs down to their finest detail."
Inch was pleased with the results. He enjoyed the experience but confesses to being a touch overwhelmed: "It's just my life being redone. When I walked onto the set, it was like going back in time. It has been amazing for me to see this."
Ruth Mott joined the production as the consultant cook. She went into service in kitchens during the 1930s, when she was about 14 years old. She first worked at her local manor house. There, she earned 5 shillings a week, of which she sent back home over half to her mother. She has remained a cook almost ever since, and says, "I don't think there's much I don't really know about a kitchen, so I can help the actors if they get stuck. There is a huge contrast between pre-war and post-war kitchens, and I consider that I've been very lucky to see both sides."
Cast as Gosford Park cook Mrs Croft, Dame Eileen Atkins seized on the authenticity of each domain having its leader: "Mrs Croft doesn't mix, she's the boss of her little kingdom. The only people above her are the housekeeper, Mrs Wilson [played by Helen Mirren] and the butler, Jennings [played by Alan Bates] but she doesn't have very much to do with him. In her world, in the kitchen, she is the Queen, and she has quite a lot of fun at the rest of the household's expense."
As were Inch and Mott, Gosford Park consultant housemaid Violet Liddle was also in service during the 1930s. She has worked for, amongst others, George Bernard Shaw; and at Chequers (the country residence of the U.K.'s Prime Minister). The concept of a housemaid seeing and hearing much of interest and remaining discreet (or not) is one that is also explored in Gosford Park especially from the vantage point of head housemaid Elsie (played by Emily Watson).
Cast members were given extracts of Lady Troubridge's The Book of Etiquette, among them the following: 'It would appear that there are people who feel that those who labour in the capacity of servants are inferior, but in most cases it is those who place servants on a lower plane who are themselves inferior. We owe to those who take part in the workmore than the wages we pay them: we owe them gratitude, courtesy and kindness. They, equally, should treat their employers with courtesy and kindness, and they should regard it as beneath their self-respect to ask wages for work which they are not fitted to perform. A reliable servant holds a place of importance in the home, and it should be recognised in the social world as a place worthy of courtesy and respect.'
Lady Troubridge's instructions for servants go on to emphasize moving quickly and quietly; not speaking unless necessary; not rattling knives, forks, or plates; ensuring that hands are scrupulously clean; and not breathing heavily.
While the breathing may have been easier above stairs, etiquette was essential there as well. Here too Gosford Park actors found themselves scrupulously researching proper behavior. Kristin Scott Thomas laughs, "We were given a kind of care package, with rules on how to hold your knife and fork; when to stand and sit down; and how to address people."
Indeed, the complications and intricacies of life above stairs would be overwhelming for 21st century society. Complete Etiquette for Ladies and Gentlemen offers these instructions on the proper manner in which to eat a grape: 'Grapes are placed in the mouth and the skin is lightly withdrawn. The seeds must be removed on the fork, which you hold sideways to your mouth to receive them. Place the seeds on the dessert plate
Even more apropos for the Gosford Park cast, Eileen Terry's Etiquette for All provided numerous examples of how to behave during country house parties, with information regarding attire, dancing, motoring, and, perhaps most helpfully, turning in for the night: 'Remember that you must not go to bed when you choose, however tired you may be unless you are really feeling unwell, a horrible sensation when on a visit! It is the hostess' duty to make the first move for bed
Another scenario that proved to be relevant to the production was postsupper entertainment in the drawing room. Once again, an excerpt from Lady Troubridge had the answers: 'It is not unusual nowadays to provide music after dinnerif good but not of too serious an order, music is generally enjoyed. If the music is to be serious, then only those persons who appreciate it should be invited. It is a sad sight to see poor Colonel Jones, who would appreciate a comic song or sentimental ballad, condemned to listen to a long string quartet! But whatever the music provided, it is the height of bad manners to talk while a performance is in progress
