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Thanks to Margaret-Mary O, UK, for
sharing these photos
 
Left to right -- June B, Connie E
Thanks to June B, UK, for sharing these
photos
Connie E, USA -- Account of her
experience
I had
attended the annual Shakespeare's birthday weekend put on by the
Royal Shakespeare Company and Stratford-upon-Avon a few years
ago when Judi participated in a conversation entitled "Double Oh
Shakespeare." Therefore, I was so excited when I was able
to go this year again. Since I
didn't have tickets, I queued up early in the morning for the
ones held back until the day of the event. I was a frozen
popsicle by 9:30 as the weather had turned a bit chilly, but I
had my tickets! The two events of the RSC Open Day that Judi
participated in were "Shakespeare: How his Text Helps the
Actor" (with Ian McKellen) and "The Great Shakespeare Quiz" with
Ian McKellen, Antony Sher, Donald Sinden, Juliet Stevenson, and
around 10 other RSC actors. The text event was around 2 hours
and was a little esoteric. Both events were done at the
Courtyard Theatre on the set of King Lear, in which McKellen is
currently starring. Judi limped on holding on to Ian's arm but
managed to walk OK most of the time, although the knee that had
the operation was held straight at times when walking, which
caused the limp. The two actors read sonnets from prepared
pieces of paper and then
were directed by RSC director John Barton to change the reading,
etc. When Judi came forward with her "script" she commented that
since she was so short sighted the sonnet was in large type so
that the audience could probably see it as well as she could!
The Great Shakespeare Quiz was more fun for the audience - those
who knew their Shakespeare and those who didn't. The quizmaster
was Gyles Brandreth. Before introductions, he said that when the
RSC actors entered, they would be doing it like this: and then
he limped around the stage. He said that this was because they
all rode their bicycles around town and fell off them a lot.
When the actors entered, Donald Sinden was using a cane; but
Judi obviously was trying not to limp in reaction to the intro !
The two teams had names, which jet lag
prevents me from remembering - something like the Bards of Avon.
The prize, it was said, was donated by the UFA and was around 20
bottles on wine sitting in the center of the stage as an
incentive to win. Ian McKellen raised his hand. The audience was
laughing so the quizmaster turned around and called on him .
What is the second prize? Ian wanted to know. Playing King Lear
8 times a week replied the quizmaster. One funny exchange
happened when the actors were asked the age difference between
Shakespeare and his wife. Donald Sinden (age 83) answered that
his wife was 8 years older. Ian said that Sinden had an unfair
advantage in answering that question since Sinden had known them
both.
It was funny to watch these Shakespeare experts
consult, miss questions, answer questions, ring bells or blow a
horn to indicated their intention to answer and tell anecdotes
(extra points) about plays. When no one on stage could answer
the question, it went to the audience. We got a total of 3
points.
At one point a windmill was mentioned. I didn't catch
everything said on stage as I don't think anyone was miked.
However, the quizmaster expected Judi to answer. When she was
busy talking and didn't respond, he said that she had forgotten
she was "in it." (referring to Mrs. Henderson). She only
got 2 awards for it, he said.
Judi remembered the name of Romeo's first love and got
some good points for her team. However, the other team was
ahead; so Judi decided to go for extra points on an anecdote.
She said that when she and Ian were in the play "The Promise"
that one night they didn't feel like working because
they had been partying late the night before. Looking for
inspiration for her performance, Judi told him that she was
going to pretend that God the Father, God the Son and God the
Holy Spirit had bought three tickets in the first row and she
would play to them. Ian said that would be all right....but that
they would only need one seat!
The opposing team won by one point but shared the wine
bottles with Judi's team. It was really a Judi Dench trip to
England for me. At Heathrow airport there was a vending machine
selling books. The "Notes on a Scandal" book with Judi and
Cate's pics on the cover was one of the offerings. In my hotel
room in Stratford upon Avon, I had the option of watching
"Casino Royale." I also attended the last event at the main RSC
theatre before its refurbishment. It was a concert of music from
past
productions of the RST. Since they did small bits from "A
Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Merry Wives" - the last musical
done in the theatre before closing - they mentioned Judi. Her
likeness is all over the items sold at the theatres' gift shops.
She signed books after both events. The Courtyard Theatre - the
venue - will take over for the next few years as the RST until
the reworking of the main theatre is completed.
Carolyn T, UK -- Account of her
experience
Here
in Stratford on Sunday we have had the very good fortune of
celebrating just a wonderful RSC Open Day. There were so
many events but as I was a volunteer in the Green Room of course
I selected the two events in which Judi was to take part!
At 12:30pm a full house of 1000 fans took their seats in the
Courtyard Theatre to see Judi Dench and Ian McKellen with John
Barton director and author in "Shakespeare: How his text helps
the actor". The welcome that the actors received was
tremendous and they themselves appeared overwhelmed by the
reception. Despite the limp Judi looked well. She was wearing
cream coloured trousers a fawn linen jacket and the inevitable
toning scarf draped casually round her shoulders. John Barton
chose the Sonnets which the 2 actors took turns in reading.
After each Sonnet Mr Barton gave his interpretation and
suggested how the lines should be read. After a brief discussion
on what Shakespeare meant the Sonnet was read again rewarded by
loud applause. After a really interesting hour there followed a
10 minute interval. The actors returned to another
enthusiastic welcome and after a couple more Sonnets the
audience was asked to take part in question time. It was
an enthralling informative two hours and one I wouldn't have
wanted to have missed. In the evening at 6:15pm in the same
theatre with another packed house "The Great Shapespeare Quiz"
took place. An hour full of fun and laughter. There were 2 teams
composed of 5 actors/directors and the quizz master Gyles
Brandeth who was in great form with his sharp wit kept
everything under control. Included on Judi's team were Ian
McKellen and Desmond Barret. On the other side were Donald
Sinden, Antony Sher, Juliet Stevenson and Michael Wood.
After a lot of questions about Shakespeare's life and his plays
Judi's team narrowly lost by one point! Unfortunately towards
the end of a hilarious hour Judi began to rub her forehead and
bend over as if she was in pain. We were told afterwards that
she was not signing copies of her book as she did not feel well.
A sad note to the end of a remarkable day. Only hope Judi is
well enough to be able to film The Cranford Chronicles in the
Cotswolds this week.
RSC Open Day -- Saturday and Sunday -- April 28th
and 29th
Judi's next appearance will be in
Stratford. It is the RSC Open Day - a day of workshops,
discussions and events celebrating 75 years of the Royal Shakespeare
Theatre and the close of The Complete Works Festival. At mid-day
John Barton talks with Judi and Ian McKellen on how Shakespeare's text
helps the actor. In the evening Judi is joined by Sinead Cusack, Ian
McKellen, Antony Sher, Donald Sinden, Juliet Stevenson, David Warner and
Michael Wood at the Courtyard Theatre for the Great Shakespeare Quiz!
Thought you might like to know that I went to see "The Merchant of Venice"
performed by the Theatre for a New Audience based in New York, with F.
Murray Abraham playing Shylock. An absolutely brilliant performance with
rave reviews..
Click here to read more ...
Thanks to Carolyn T, Stratford, for
being the first to share this news
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