Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Judi Dench Brings Titania to Life Again
NYTimes.com: "It’s not uncommon for classical actors to repeat roles. Kevin Kline has given us two Off Broadway Hamlets, and any number of British performers have returned to various defining plays, and parts, at different times. But have 48 years ever before separated the same actress stepping up to the theatrical plate with a single role? I don’t know, though I can attest this much: there are few actresses as singular as Judi Dench."
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3 comments:
The ever powerful Judi Dench still exists in the theater world, apparently as powerful as ever. Normally, I go with the view that celebrity stars in productions is solely a way to make money- often they are nothing special. However this is one exception. Seeing Judi Dench return to the stage in such a classic piece is wonderful, and could only be done by a classy woman such as herself. The other two plays this article mentions sound interesting as well. It should be noted that each of these productions is approached in very different ways- highlighting the vairety of available theater.
I find that the role being played again by Dame Judi Dench is absolutely fantastic. I personally have never seen "Midsummer" but I am familiar with the characters, and especially with her talent backing the role I dont believe it can go wrong. I find it also very entertaining that Dench and director Sir Peter Hall are teaming up again 48 years later. Which only goes to prove that when the talent exists there is nothing that can stop it from reaching those around it.
It's strange that you guys are able to envision her in this role without question. Well really, how can you ever go wrong with her? But I've always seen Titania portrayed as sexy, fiery, and for the most part, much younger. I've never heard of Titania being played by someone of Dame Judi Dench's age, and I'm incredibly intrigued by this choice. Even if you ignore the actress, casting her at 75 may not be unique because the production has been done so many times, but I have never heard of it or seen anything like it, so for me it's very exciting :) I also want to mention something else I noticed, does theater do something to the human body or the soul that allows stamina, mind, body, and spirit to endure until TRULY your dying day? I look at my grandparents at the ages they are at, then I look at Dame Judi Dench, Christopher Lee, Angela Lansbury, and I'm thinking good lord, isn't so much stress supposed to wear you out by the time you hit age 70? I think it's CRAZY that such talented actors still have the strength to give such incredible performances at their ages, and it truly speaks to their dedication, and passion for this. I like the idea of theatre helping to extend life, and I hope it's not just actors that get the benefits.
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