Prunella Scales, the actress best known for her iconic role as Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers, has died at the age of 93. While her television work brought her international fame, she also enjoyed a distinguished stage career spanning more than five decades, excelling in both comedy and classical theatre. Scales’ theatre work was often intertwined with her husband, Timothy West. Their collaboration showcased a natural comedic chemistry that delighted audiences. Observers noted their close partnership during interviews and backstage moments, where Scales often offered directorial guidance to West, highlighting her deep understanding of performance. Her journey on stage began in 1947 when she joined the Old Vic Theatre School, established by Michel Saint-Denis in post-war London. Among her classmates were future stars such as Joan Plowright and Denis Quilley, and future directors including Frank Dunlop and Christopher Morahan. The rigorous training, rooted in the Stanislavskian tradition, shaped her approach to acting and provided a foundation rarely matched in modern theatre. Scales’ classical stage roles were numerous and celebrated. She toured extensively in Shakespearean productions, playing Olivia in Twelfth Night and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Oxford Playhouse in the 1950s. She later performed as Hermione in The Winter’s Tale at Birmingham Rep, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew at Nottingham Playhouse, and Natalya Petrovna in A Month in the Country at Bristol Old Vic. Her dedication to classical theatre left a lasting legacy, one continued by her son, Samuel West. Beyond classical theatre, Scales had a remarkable West End career. She appeared in a 1954 Tyrone Guthrie production of Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker, which later moved to Broadway. She also performed in Noël Coward’s Hay Fever alongside Celia Johnson, and in Michael Frayn’s Make and Break as a loyal secretary. Her stage work frequently demonstrated her talent for comedy, particularly when performing alongside her husband in productions such as J.B. Priestley’s When We Are Married. One of Scales’ most acclaimed roles came in 1988 when she portrayed the Queen in Alan Bennett’s A Question of Attribution. Her performance, first at the National Theatre and later on television, combined sharp intellect and quiet humor, earning widespread recognition for capturing the nuances of royal authority and wit. Even after a dementia diagnosis in 2014, Scales continued to engage with audiences, notably through the television series Great Canal Journeys with West. Her commitment to the spoken word remained central to her career. In 1992, she directed readings of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales at the National Theatre, stressing the importance of delivering classical texts aloud to reveal their depth and humor. She also encouraged schoolchildren to read literature like Pride and Prejudice aloud, emphasizing how performance brings written words to life. Scales often lamented the diminishing classical fluency among young actors, attributing it to fewer opportunities in contemporary theatre. Her own era, when classical training was integral to the British stage, imbued her with a lifelong passion for performance. This dedication underpinned her ability to make roles ranging from Sybil Fawlty to Elizabeth II unforgettable. Prunella Scales leaves behind a legacy defined by versatility, intelligence, and impeccable comedic timing. Her work on stage and screen continues to influence actors and audiences alike, reminding the world of her exceptional contributions to theatre and television.