20 Heavenly Archive Images Of Judi Dench
Judi Dench’s incredible career has spanned decades, and seen her inhabit a plethora of memorable leading roles both on stage and on screen. British Vogue’s June cover star made her theatre debut in 1957 as one of Shakespeare’s most famous female characters, Ophelia, in the Old Vic Company’s production of Hamlet. It would be the first of Dench’s many brushes with the Bard – she went on to deliver some of the most celebrated performances in the history of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
She’s a dab hand at playing a monarch, and has embodied Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth I, to much acclaim. The latter performance, in John Madden’s Shakespeare in Love (1998), saw Judi add a Best Supporting Actress Oscar to her bulging mantelpiece (despite the fact she spent less than 10 minutes on screen in total). It sits next to multiple Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Olivier Awards and a Tony.
Read more: Judi Dench Covers The June 2020 Issue Of British Vogue
Here, we take a look back at Judi’s six decades in the public eye through some heavenly archive images – proof that her pixie crop has been almost as permanent a fixture as the trademark twinkle in her eye.
More from British Vogue:
Bob Haswell1/20September, 1957
At a coffee bar in London.
Bob Haswell2/20September 1957
At a dress rehearsal of Michael Benthall’s production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at the Old Vic.
Jimmy Sime3/20September 1957
Dench at a dress rehearsal for the 1957 production of Hamlet, in which she made her stage debut.
Reg Burkett4/20March, 1959
With fellow Old Vic Theatre Company actors Margaret Courtenay and Jennie Goossens, posing at London Airport on their way to Belgrade.
Mondadori Portfolio5/20October 1960
As Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s stage adaptation of Romeo and Juliet at the Old Vic.
Central Press6/20May, 1960
With Alec McCowen as Richard II at a dress rehearsal for a production of Shakespeare’s Richard II at the Old Vic.
Evening Standard7/20July, 1960
Holding a script for a BBC adaptation of Henry V, in which she played Katherine of Valois.
Express8/201962
In her Titania costume for a theatre production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
