Veteran actress Judi Dench has revealed that a worsening eye condition has left her unable to recognize people or read, leading her to step back from acting. In a recent ITV interview, the 90-year-old star shared her struggles with humor alongside friend Ian McKellen. Dench first spoke publicly about the issue in 2023, noting its effect on memorizing lines.
Interview Insights
In the ITV interview, Dench explained her decision to pause her acting career, stating, “I can’t see anymore. I’ve got, you know, that thing.” She elaborated that the condition prevents her from recognizing faces, watching television, or reading scripts. “I can see your outline, and I know you so well. But I can’t recognize anybody now. … I can’t see the television, I can’t see to read,” she told McKellen, who lightened the mood by joking that audiences can still see her clearly.
McKellen quipped, “But do you go up to total strangers and say, ‘Lovely to see you again?'” Dench responded with a laugh, “Sometimes.” This exchange highlights her resilient sense of humor amid the challenges.
Previous Revelations
Dench first addressed her vision issues in a 2023 appearance on “The Graham Norton Show.” She described learning lines as “impossible” due to her reliance on visual memory. “It has become impossible and because I have a photographic memory, I need to find a machine that not only teaches me my lines but also tells me where they appear on the page,” she said. Dench added, “I used to find it very easy to learn lines and remember them. I could do the whole of ‘Twelfth Night’ right now.”
On-Stage Challenges
Dench shared an anecdote from a production of “The Winter’s Tale” directed by Kenneth Branagh at the Garrick Theatre a couple of years ago. Playing Paulina, she relied on others for guidance during performances. After three weeks of rehearsals, Branagh advised, “Judi, if you were to say that speech about eight feet to your right, you’d be saying it to me and not to the pros.” She emphasized, “I rely on people to tell me!”
These disclosures underscore the profound impact of her condition on a career spanning decades, yet Dench maintains an optimistic outlook.