Favorite Judi Dench role?

In her 90th year, Judi Dench, British national treasure, actor extraordinaire…

what is her best performance, or your personal favorite?

So many to choose from. Queen Victoria, or Queen Elizabeth? Philomena? Sally Bowles? M?

 

 

I was kinda shocked when I first realized that Judi played Sally before even Liza. I’m glad there’s a recording.

I’m going through a Judi phase right now, catching up on some of her screen work I’ve missed. Ladies In Lavender. Mrs. Henderson Presents. A Fine Romance. The Marigold Hotel sequel. Re-watching Tea with Mussolini. 

She never disappoints.

A recent podcast called "Rosebud” explores guests’ earliest memories. Judi was the first guest. Recommended!

Judi Dench was one of the original names I believe Kander/Ebb originally considered for "The Visit" back when the show was originally written they wrote in one of their books, I'm sure they would have asked her and she declined but I would have loved to have seen her do the part. 

Angela Lansbury committed to the role, and of course has recorded "Love and Love Alone" in a studio as a demo recording that you can hear on YouTube. But she dropped out because of her husband's illness if I recall. However, she was not the only name considered. If I recall Chita, Judi Dench, Lansbury and another name was mentioned. For some reason the name that comes to mind is Shirley Temple but I could really be misremembering lol. If I find the book I'll get the quote sometime.