Judi Dench

Easton Press Judi Dench books

And Furthermore - signed first edition - 2011

 

Actress Judi Dench

Dame Judi Dench, born Judith Olivia Dench on December 9, 1934, in Heworth, York, England, is a highly acclaimed British actress with a career spanning over six decades. Known for her versatility, commanding stage presence, and the ability to seamlessly transition between dramatic and comedic roles, Dench has become one of the most respected and beloved figures in the world of performing arts. Judi Dench's interest in acting began at an early age, and she studied at the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art in London. She made her professional debut in 1957 with the Old Vic Company and, over the years, established herself as a prominent stage actress. Her association with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she became a member in 1961, further solidified her reputation as a distinguished Shakespearean performer.

Dench's breakthrough on the theatrical stage came with her portrayal of Ophelia in Hamlet (1957) and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet (1960). Her contributions to classical theater were recognized with various awards and accolades, including the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Cabaret (1968).

In addition to her stage success, Judi Dench has made an indelible mark on the film and television industry. Her film career gained international acclaim with roles in movies such as A Room with a View (1985), Chocolat (2000), and Iris (2001), where she portrayed the acclaimed author Iris Murdoch. Dame Judi Dench's most iconic film role is perhaps her portrayal of M, the head of MI6, in the James Bond film series. She made her debut as M in GoldenEye (1995) and continued to play the character in several subsequent Bond films, including Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015).

Her exceptional talent has garnered numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love (1998). She has also received multiple BAFTA Awards, Olivier Awards, and a Tony Award for her stage performances. Dame Judi Dench's contributions to the arts extend beyond acting; she has also been involved in philanthropy and was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1988 for her services to drama. Her legacy as a consummate artist, both on stage and screen, continues to inspire generations of performers and audiences around the world.

 

And Furthermore

From the moment Judi Dench appeared as a teenager in the York Mystery Plays it was clear that acting would be her career. Here she tells her story.

I can hardly believe that it is more than half a century since I first stepped on to the stage of the Old Vic Theatre and into a way of life that has brought me the most rewarding professional relationships and friendships. I cannot imagine now ever doing anything else with my life except acting…" - Judi Dench

From London's glittering West End to Broadway's bright lights, from her Academy Award-winning role as Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love to "M" in the James Bond films, Judi Dench has treated audiences to some of the greatest performances of our time. She made her professional acting debut in 1957 with England's Old Vic theatre company playing Ophelia in Hamlet , Katherine in Henry V (her New York debut), and then, Juliet. In 1961, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company playing Anya in The Cherry Orchard with John Gielgud and Peggy Ashcroft. In 1968, she went beyond the classical stage to become a sensation as Sally Bowles in Cabaret, adding musical comedy to her repertoire. Over the years, Dench has given indelible performances in the classics as well as some of the greatest plays and musicals of the twentieth century including Noël Coward's Hay Fever, Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, Kaufman and Hart's The Royal Family and David Hare's Amy's View (for which she won the Tony Award). Recently, she made a triumphant return to A Midsummer Night's Dream as Titania, a role she first played in 1962, now played as a theatre-besotted Queen Elizabeth I. Her film career has been filled with unforgettable performances of some unforgettable women: Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown, the terrifying schoolteacher Barbara Covett in Notes on a Scandal and the writer Iris Murdoch in Iris. And, for the BBC, Dench created another unforgettable woman when she brought her great comic timing and deeply felt emotions to the role of Jean Pargetter in the long-running BBC series As Time Goes By.

And Furthermore is, however, more than the story of a great actress's career. It is also the story of Judi Dench's life: her early days as a child in a family that was in love with the theatre; her marriage to actor Michael Williams; the joy she takes in her daughter, the actress Finty Williams, and her grandson, Sammy. Filled with Dench's impish sense of humor, diamond-sharp intelligence and photos from her personal archives, And Furthermore is the book every fan of the great Judi Dench will cherish.