Dame Judi Dench has expressed concern that the proliferation of social media is contributing to a “marked lack of interest in the arts” among younger generations.
The 91-year-old actress expressed her fears ahead of the Sky Arts premiere. Tea with Judi Dencha one-off special starring his friend Sir Kenneth Branagh.
Dame Judi reflected on the evolving acting landscape, saying: “All I can hope for is that theater has evolved. With the rise of social media and, I think, a marked lack of interest in the arts, I fear that younger generations will not have the benefit or interest in theater that we all had.”
Offering guidance to those embarking on an acting career today, the former James Bond The star advised: “First of all, there's no point in being an actor unless you have enormous energy.”
“The public has paid to see a particular production and it is our duty to tell the story as best we can.
“I remember playing Ophelia at the Old Vic when the Asian flu epidemic was widespread and crying through a whole scene at the beginning of the play.
“They scolded me severely after the scene and reminded me that the audience had come to see Hamlet without me adding extra bits.
“If you can't perform if you're not well, let your understudy continue.”
In Tea with Judi DenchThe veteran actress talks about her life and career with fellow actor Sir Kenneth.
When asked if there was anything she would like to be able to revisit in her career, Dame Judi said: “I would revisit any Shakespearean role I have played as I feel I never fully explored it at the end of the career.
“As my passion is Shakespeare and his plays, I would welcome the challenge of playing any role in any play, anything opposite Ken Branagh.”
In 2022, Dame Judi and Sir Kenneth were jointly awarded the Freedom of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, for their contributions to the promotion of his work on stage and screen.
Tea with Judi Dench airs on December 22 on Sky Arts, Freeview and streaming service Now.
