Winchester Festival -- 2002

This is Hampshire July 1, 2002

Dame Judi steps in as Joan understudy.

By: Daily Echo reporter

One of the world's most famous actresses is to come to the rescue of the Winchester Festival after the late withdrawal of another thespian superstar.

Dame Judi Dench, who won an Oscar for best supporting actress in the comedy film Shakespeare In Love, will replace Joan Plowright, who has filming commitments in Hollywood.

Judi is one of the best known actresses, with some 40 years on TV, theatre and in films. She appeared as cutting Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare In Love, as love-haunted Queen Victoria in Mrs Brown and as spymaster M in the last two James Bond movies.

The festival organisers announced a last-minute change to the cast of this year's festival programme yesterday.

Dame Joan has been unavoidably detained in Hollywood because of an extended filming schedule and so has cancelled her appearance on July 7. Festival director John Miller has turned to her friend Judi and asked her to step into the breach.

Mr Miller said: "Judi agreed immediately. The two great actresses became very close friends during the filming of Tea With Mussolini, so she didn't mind 'understudying Joanie' one little bit.

"It is a huge stroke of luck that Judi happens to be available. She will have just finished recording for the BBC and has a brief window before shooting her next film with Stephen Fry."

Mr Miller will be in conversation with Judi on Sunday, July 7, at 7.30pm. at the Theatre Royal.

All tickets sold for Joan Plowright will remain valid for Judi Dench. Tickets at GBP 10 are available from the Music at Winchester Box Office, The Brooks Centre.

Full details of the festival, on July 5-14, are available on the website
Click on the link at the top of the page.

This is Hampshire July 10, 2002

We're all in love with Judi.

By: Andrew White

Judi Dench, Theatre Royal Winchester

I can't remember the last time I felt such a glow of affection from a theatre audience.

People love Dame Judi Dench - and not just because she's talented and famous.

As she proved while answering questions from both the Winchester Festival's artistic director John Miller - who is also Dame Judi's friend and biographer - and members of the audience, she is witty, generous, charming and extremely funny.

The RSC stalwart turned sitcom wife turned Hollywood superstar is also a natural storyteller. The anecdotes just pour out of her - most of them involving names as legendary as Zeffirelli, Sir John Gielgud and Dame Maggie Smith.

But there's still something about Dame Judi that reminds you of your slightly naughty auntie in giggly reminiscent mode on Christmas afternoon.

That's probably why people love her. That and the laugh.

Let's hope we're still hearing it many years from now.

Thanks to Cindy Lou F.