Discovering text in the moment: Twelfth Night/Viola as performed by Judi Dench

Kris Joseph
Kris Joseph
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Published 2009-04-11
This is footage from John Barton's "Playing Shakespeare" video series, which is not otherwise available. In this clip, Dame Judi Dench showcases an approach to a speech from Twelfth Night, where she carefully allows for the shifts in thought by playing the text as though she needs the words to work through a problem.
All Comments (21)
  • @Erlique
    Thank you to Bob Ross for hosting such a significant theatrical workshop.
  • @aaronbrown7217
    This is a masterclass of performing shakespeare. Such a beautiful and poetic delivery.
  • @yes-gm5ts
    1:47 Having the voice warble on 'man' in "I am the man" is so brilliant!
  • @goodlookinouthomie1757
    Viola has some great lines. Her playful sparring (as Cesario) with Olivia when they first meet is always delightful to hear performed well.
  • @simonedevlin7710
    Such magnificence in the regal voice of Lady Judy Dench in WS's Twelfth Night
  • @evaburkowski615
    Decades ago, I watched her play Viola opposite Richard Pasco at Stratford. It is so lovely to see her play the scene again, elsewhere In John Barton's series; the bit where Viola says, "My father had a daughter loved a man..." The production was wonderful; she was absolutely riveting.
  • @ashleymarks6144
    It's great to see the two masters, Sir John and Dame Judi. I don't understand the use of time signature in her delivery. She has spoken of it in the past but I dont recognize how to use it nor do I understand how she is using it.
  • @ruhaanchopra8878
    It’s absolutely great ... oh dear ... classics ... Shakespeare.....
  • @LilyGrace95
    Doing this for my Shakespeare assessment next week and bricking it! In the morning, I'm playing Don John in (an abridged version of) Much Ado About Nothing. In the afternoon, I'm doing this speech. The two characters couldn't be more different, and it's really difficult to switch from one personality to another...
  • @amelieg246
    I'm doing this for a drama school audition on Saturday...eek! Exciting :D
  • @Bluedolphingirl01
    Yes, Judi is wonderful and lo I had so much trouble with Shakespear but she makes it easy.
  • @leneker76
    I agree. The "light dawns on marble head" revelation by stubbs really gets me moved more than this rendition.
  • @user-yb2wk8tt4u
    Some think this speech is now overused and hackneyed. This rendition returns it to its pristine glory.