Cats -- 1981

Judi Dench was about three weeks into rehearsals for the characters of
Grizabella and The Old Gumbie Cat
when she tore her Achilles Tendon and had to pull out of the production.

This Webpage documents her significant yet little-known
contribution to the development of the history-making Production.

In Their Own Words ...

Click on each Photo to listen to the RPS Audio Clips

"Judi Dench had two imprints on the show ...
one cannot underestimate ... that she helped us immeasurably."
Cameron Macintosh, Producer

"Any possibility of a sleepy old cat for me ..."
Judi asked Trevor Nunn, Stage Director

" ... there was a noise that made everybody's head turn ...
the noise must've been a gun shot and somebody had been felled ...
it was the snapping of an Achilles Tendon ..."
Trevor Nunn, Stage Director

Screen Captures and Audio Clips are from ...

CATS
Ultimate Edition DVD
Bonus Material Disc # 2
Available at Amazon.com

Note from: Chris, Webmistress

Once I watched those two interviews, I felt that I had -- probably along with most people -- UNDERestimated Dame Judi's involvement in this Production. All that I had ever read about it was that she was rehearsing the two roles, tore her Achilles tendon and had to pull out and be replaced. Really no big deal. Over and done with. With very little other information available. The huge success of CATS overshadowed everything else. And Dame Judi's role in it all was just a "footnote" (no pun intended).

So I was surprised and IMPRESSED when I heard both the producer and director (even after twenty years had passed) give her significant credit for the fact that the play was even able to make it into production to begin with. I wasn't reading a reporter's or biographer's exaggerated or biased interpretation. This information was coming straight from the "horses mouths" -- so to speak.
In their own words.

For those who haven't listened to the clips ... DJD was not only the FIRST actor to be cast but it was the fact that SHE agreed to be part of an ensemble with only two small appearances instead of a major lead role that was also responsible for most -- if not all -- of the other actors agreeing to be in the production as well. Kind of like -- if someone of Judi Dench's stature and talent is willing to do this, then so will I type of thing. And this was back in 1981 ...

Anyway ... I'm rambling on because this is a point I've wanted to be sure was evident yet I try not to editorialize or influence people on these Websites. Well, at least not too much. ;-)

PS: I realize not everyone is able to listen to or watch the audio / video clips. If there is anyone out there who would be willing to transcribe some of these clips so that I can include the text, I'd appreciate it. That's just too time-consuming for me to do.

Note from: Delda W, Website Researcher

In both biographies of Judi Dench she says she asked Trevor Nunn for a part in Trevor's new play, which became "Cats." She says she was finding the role in "Juno and the Paycock" depressing and wanted something to counter that. Nothing is said about the pivotal role her being in the cast played, which seems to me to be typical of her modest attitude. I'm glad the effect her joining the cast had has been made clear.