Dame Judi Dench on saving theatres from oblivion and becoming a TikTok star

In a letter in The Times today, heads of the leading performing arts organisations said that the public needs to start lobbying the government to provide "immediate and substantial" financial support to give them any hope of survival.

We spoke to Dame Judi Dench, one of the UK's most famous actors who has spent a lifetime treading the boards.

We began by asking her how the closures of theatres would affect her.
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[LocalYokel]

Gosh! What hard-hitting journalism!
"How was that for you?" Did you learn that question since your interview with Jordan Peterson?

[elizabethfraser]

LOVE YOU JUDI ! ALSO, THANKS FOR MENTIONING THE PLIGHT OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM . I THINK OF PRIMARY STUDENTS WHO ARE LEARNING TO READ. THAT CAN NOT BE DONE VIRTUALLY.

[hell-o-kitty]

Ugh..why don't ya give your money to the struggling actors. Hypocrisy.

[jhb]

Judi, Judi, Judi.

Love you Judi.

Yes, the world has changed once again.

All will evolve into who knows what?

Some of these comment, the negative ones towards Judi's money, are a bit short sighted and not realistic. Of course there is some true there, but asking people of financial success to pay the way of others who have not made it is a move toward communism and/or a breakdown of free enterprise and thereby eliminating competition. We have seen the failure of such economic systems in Russia/USSR and Red China. Everyone much have opportunity to compete for financial success based on personal efforts/action and ability. Education is one way to prepare for success but that offers no guarantee.

[GrrMeister]

*Judi Dench love you but if you are so passionate about **_Theatres_** what about donating some of your £35 Million Fortune back to support local enterprises - all of which are total loss makers and fully tax deductible.*

[franklinnash]

How is every audience different in theatre? I suppose if you're doing Panto where the audience participates in the performance or improv where the performance changes, but all the plays I've seen in the theatre the audience just watched and then clapped at the end.

[pameladraper]

Audiences as " Individuals " would have to be sectioned off . Helmets with a coller of some sort is desired with an air flow similar to a welding respirator. Masks are not 100 % effective against COVID. Gloves required too. Sounds drastic but this is the reality .
Need a scientific design THINK TANK on the matter .

[lee-annebarrett]

If the actors want this, then let them put their money where their mouths are. Most of these people have earnt milions over the years.

[drinkwater]

If Cameron Mackintosh gave his royalties from his shows for a year that would solve the problem. Look at how successful those awful greatest hits shows are, written by Ben Elbow. So many multi millionaires in the business. It’s no different to multi millionaire Posh Spice wanting the government to pay her staff’s wages. The worst PR move ever.