NT Platform -- 2002

By: Connie E. CA, USA

As an American, I am still confused as to the set-up of the British National Theatres. However, the National Theatre which is named the Olivier, where Dame Judi Dench and John Miller appeared on September 13 is a beautiful theatre in a beautiful setting. It is modern looking on 3 levels and has balconies on each level where you can look out to the river
and Waterloo Bridge. While waiting in the foyer for them to open the theatre for seating, I caught snatches of conversation from the other audience members. I at once understood a story in the earlier book edition. It was mentioned that when DJD was in New York, her daughter phoned the hotel and asked to speak to Dame Judi Dench. The hotel operator wanted to know if that was one word! The words Judi Dench were pronounced by the
British to sound to this American like one word! There is a millisecond's difference in the pause between the first and last name that is longer when we pronounce it. I knew what they were saying, but it sounded like "Judidench."

The "platform" was scheduled for 6pm, with a play scheduled for 7pm. Perhaps the set that they used was the one for the forthcoming play. With no announcement Judi Dench and John Miller strolled onto the stage and sat on a wicker sofa, which had a coffee table with a pitcher of water and two glasses on it. Mr. Miller said that when they last left off, Judi was about
to make "Last of the Blonde Bombshells." (I will leave out stories that are repeated in the book unless there is something additional to add. I have skimmed the new parts but not read all yet.) Cats. Her description of the cats' reaction to her saxophone practice was that they reacted like "cartoon cats" (this accompanied by wild arm gestures on her part. ) She also mentioned that when she did "Iris" that she and Jim Broadbent really started their friendship a few days after filming started when, seated side by side in the makeup trailer, she said
something about her cats. He said, "We have a cat. His name is Naughty." DJD said ," What a wonderful name for a cat." He said, "Not so wonderful when you are at the Vet and they announce your turn: 'Naughty Broadbent!" The lady in front of me in line at the book signing was a veterinarian. She said to DJD that she had heard that she had 12 cats. J replied, "We are down to 5 now. Aren't they wonderful?"

On "Last of the Blonde Bombshells" she mentioned that the person actually playing the sax during filming was seated next to her, and when they started to film she bent over to pick up the sax, and the woman had taken the instrument on the floor between them so that J had to lean over her and get the one on the other side of the musician. She said that all of the
principals had to learn to play their instruments except for Joan Sims, who already knew how to play the piano.

The "Shipping News" stories are in the revised book. The glove story is one of several which she got up and acted out. (She didn't just sit on the sofa and talk, as one might be inclined to do after a day's rehearsal). She got up and demonstrated dumping the ashes into the "loo", pulling down her pants, sitting down, and then leaped up with a shriek when she saw Kevin
Spacey , who was underneath, with the black glove. (She described it a little more discretely than in the book). She said that the glove recently showed up again at Rules (this is one of the few local references I understood as I have dined a couple of times at Rules, which is a very old restaurant in Covent Garden which is known for traditional British food.)

To elaborate a bit on her looking so relaxed that evening. She was truly wonderful and seemed relaxed from the third tier, where I sat. Someone in the audience mentioned that she seemed so relaxed and why did she always declare that she wasn't when she warmed up the audience for ATGB ? In addition to declaring that it was because John was there she went on to explain that for ATGB, she was always thinking of the scenes she was about to play. She said it would be like being in the theatre now to do a play. You're gearing up to do the scenes, and then suddenly you're on stage saying, "I hope you like the play we're about to do. Tonight I'm very relaxed because all I have to do is go out to dinner with John afterwards."

In talking of the "Royal Family" she mentioned (which is in the book) about Maggie Smith's son being in the cast and being up for a part in the James Bond film. John said, "And you're working now with Toby's Mother." DJD laughed at her being called "Toby's Mother" rather than Maggie Smith, and said, "Oh, she'll love that. I'll tell her at the next rehearsal."

She did have trouble a few times remembering her own life, with which John helped her out. I think that is just natural as we all sometimes lose track of what story we were about to tell or exactly what words were used many years ago. One reply to a question got a laugh and applause. I guess you would have to hear her "reading" of the line to know why it was so funny. Someone said that she had been to the Oscars 4 times, and was it always the same
experience or different? She said basically the same, but then went on to say that when they are reading out the nominees, the camera is "right there" - stretching out her arm to show that the camera is within arms length of your face - "So of course you applaud when they don't read out your name."

She didn't seem pleased when John Miller brought up "The Importance of Being Earnest." He felt they should mention it, I guess, and her desire to revisit the role. However, I gather the reviews in Britain must not have been any better than the ones here.

The line to get books signed wound through the foyer and down several flights of stairs. She and Mr. Miller were seated at a small table with a bottle of champagne on it. He would ask your name and put "For ...your name " and then sign and pass the book to her to sign below his name. There were some lovely tall windows behind them that had shade screens pulled until towards the end when the sun was setting they were raised. I must have been in line an hour as I was towards the end. I don't know why they used the photo they did on the cover! Maybe they thought it looks regal. She is so much prettier than that photo! I had stepped out of line a bit to see if I could get an early photo. The lobby was quite warm and humid. She was wearing a black pantsuit with a white top. She either was taking her jacket off or just trying to cool herself, but she suddenly pulled her lapels and sleeves back over her shoulders as the staff member took a flash photo. She bent over and just 'broke up" (is this what they mean by "corpsed" in the book?) The implication was that the photo would look like she was
stripping, and she thought they better try it again. She kept her jacket on.

By the time I got up there, I expect she was "shell shocked." Someone earlier in line mentioned that her hand must be tired from so much signing. She just looked at her hand and went back to signing. She was so polite and kind to everyone. I said to her, "I live in Los Angeles...(she looked up at me but appeared a bit startled), and I hope you will come and do a play for us." She replied ,"You never know." She would thank people after signing as
they left. After the staff member took our photo with my camera, as I was leaving I said "thank you." She said, "Pleasure."

I really would have liked to have just stood and stared at her for about 5 minutes as it was the first time I had seen her up close. Of course, that would have been rude, and there were still about 20 people in back of me waiting. When I got home, my husband wanted to know what she looked like. I really don't know except for the fact that she seemed to be prettier and
skinnier and more tan. Her way of moving is so youthful, and the way she uses her hands so graceful.

I can't wait to see her in "Breath of Life."

Also -- someone asked her if there was a difference between American and British audiences. She said that there was but that she didn't quite know what it was. She said they laugh in different places. She that that "we are just more reserved, we British. We just are." She mentioned that they put an explanation in the New York program about the Lloyd's situation as they felt many people might not be aware of what had happened.

She was asked what she would be doing next, and she said she didn't know. "I have no scripts." John said that perhaps it was because people knew she was busy with the play. She shrugged her shoulders and said again, "I have no scripts."

Also she was asked about The RSC. Would she work there again in spite of her recent comments? She said, first of all, I don't think I will be asked. I don't think you should change things just for the sake of change. Perhaps she is prejudiced, she said, but that there wasn't anything wrong with the theatre that needed changing.

JUDI & JOHN MILLER - NATIONAL THEATRE PLATFORM - 13th September

By: Joan S. -- UK

On Friday I went to see Judi & John Miller at the National Theatre. The Platform was held at the Olivier Theatre that has quite a large auditorium and was very well attended. John Miller spoke to Judi about her career, especially covering the extra sections now in the updated version of her biography. Judi was quite animated, even getting up a couple of times to relate little humorous stories. However, I always feel she is never very relaxed at these things and sometimes forgets what she is going to say.

However, Judi said that she felt very relaxed as John Miller was there and that she would be terrified to have to stand there by herself. Of course, ATGB was mentioned. JM suggested that the way may have been left open for some more ATGB but Judi was adamant that this wasn't the case. She said that it would cut far too much into Geoffrey's fishing; also that they had now had their farewell party! You will be pleased to know that Judi mentioned the ATGB internet group too, saying how touched she was that so many of you had come over for the taping of the last series. Not surprisingly there were some Americans in the audience too.

JM asked about the TV special, 'The Last of the Blonde Bombshells'. Judi said that she did indeed have to learn to play the saxophone for the programme and that it had taken her months to master just a little. Obviously she was only miming playing in the story but had to make sure her fingers covered the correct notes to go with the person that was really playing. Judi mentioned that her cats were appalled when they heard her practicing the Saxophone at home!

'Chocolate' also got a mention. Judi said she enjoyed this immensely as all the chocolate she got to drink was real! Naturally they talked about 'Iris' too though I don't recall anything particularly new being revealed. She did say that when she danced on the beach with Penelope Wilton it was actually freezing cold and they had to wear layers of clothing to keep them warm!

JM mentioned the BAFTA tribute to Judi. She said how hard it was for her to look at the clips of herself and Michael, from AFR on the screen but she had managed to get through it.

JM asked Judi how rehearsals were going for 'Breath of Life'. Judi just went, mmmm! She said it was proving very difficult, as there would only be herself and Maggie Smith in the play. Judi said she was longing for someone else to come on the stage and make a long speech; also that there was no way she would ever do a one woman show, it was terrifying enough with just two people. They also talked about 'The Royal Family'. Judi was adamant that she enjoyed doing the play and was certainly not sorry that she had been in it. She thought that the audience seemed to love 'The Royal Family' but in the end it was rather a 'rum' old piece.

After talking for about 45 minutes the way was paved for the audience to ask questions. Nothing really new here but someone did ask Judi what she had enjoyed doing most during her long career. She said, amongst a couple of other things, that she had loved 'Anthony & Cleopatra' the most. Previously she had mentioned that 'Absolute Hell' was another favourite of hers. Judi said that she loved anything different and to be challenged, something I know we have heard her say many times before.

After the platform Judi and John Miller went out into the foyer for a book signing. The queue for autographs seemed endless but both of them were so gracious and patient. Judi must have posed for photographs with nearly everyone in the queue, with one of the staff obliging taking a photo with each person's camera. A particularly touching moment was when one person pulled out a photograph that he had of Judi with Michael, taken many years ago, and asked if she would like to keep it. Judi seemed genuinely touched at this gesture. She also seemed to know a couple of other people in the queue and we were surprised by the sudden appearance of Trevor Nunn who came up and gave her a big hug and kiss!

Judi laughed and joked throughout the signing session and even waited a few moments at the very end so a few of us could take some more photos. John Miller was also in great spirits and was so welcoming to everyone.

Joan, U.K.

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