THE SOUTH BANK SHOW REVISITED: JUDI DENCH
Melvyn Bragg meets Judi Dench at the Rose Theatre in Kingston where she was recently performing in Midsummer Night’s Dream, re-uniting her with long time friend and collaborator, Sir Peter Hall, who is directing the production.
Since the 1995 South Bank Show, Judi Dench has gone on to become a huge international film star, recognised globally for her role as M in the James Bond franchise and has been Oscar nominated six times, and winning the award for her role in Shakespeare in Love.
The South Bank Show Revisited tracks this career change, tracing a path which began in the theatre but has branched out to take on television and film leading to her widely regarded status as a “national treasure” – a label she hates.
Melvyn Bragg and Judi Dench discuss how she began her career at the Old Vic and RSC and what she learnt as a theatrical actress, her love of being part of a Company and her sense of being an instinctive rather than a technical actress. She also talks about her Quaker upbringing and the effect this has had both personally and professionally.
They talk about her roles in the sitcoms A Fine Romance and As Time Goes By which she describes as being the hardest jobs she has ever taken on, her role in the popular Cranford, and now her return to what she loves best, the stage.
She discusses her portrayal of Titania as Queen Elizabeth I – a daring and provocative interpretation. She has taken on this role because she believes passionately in supporting regional theatre and is furious about the cuts to arts funding. She also talks of her sadness that the younger generations of actors do not seem to know their theatrical heritage.
This film shows Judi Dench at her instinctive and passionate best: championing the theatre and showing her love for acting as she continues to take on as many unsuitable roles as she can.
Other films in The South Bank Show Revisited season include: Kiri Te Kanawa, Simon Rattle and a film on Arts film making to include interviews with Ken Russell, Tony Palmer, James Ivory and others. The South Bank Show Revisited – a final season to cherish.
Presented and edited by Melvyn Bragg
Executive Produced by Jonathan Levi
Directed by: Archie Powell
