The Esteemed Actress Shares Recollection Struggles Yet Retains The Bard's Verses.
The iconic actress Judi Dench has opened up about the effects of aging on her vision and memory, revealing she frequently finds it hard to remember immediate plans – yet can effortlessly recite long sections of Shakespearean text.
"I can't remember what I'm doing tomorrow, I promise you," she told a magazine.
Her assistants verified that this kind of help are sometimes necessary. She further mentioned that her degenerative eye condition now means faces to appear "in a fog" even when up close.
A Condition That 'Crushes'
"It's a crusher," Dench noted, adding that it means she can no longer watching television. "I long to see Clive Myrie hosting Mastermind," she said, "but I can still hear the questions."
Dench, who turns 91 on Tuesday, is leading a new documentary exploring her longstanding relationship with the works of Shakespeare. She will also be seen being interviewed by Kenneth Branagh in a separate show airing over the Christmas holidays.
On Friends and Exoneration
The star also discussed staying in contact with actor Kevin Spacey, who was found not guilty of sexual assault charges in 2023. "Kevin has been exonerated," Dench affirmed, "and I hear from Kevin, we text."
Earlier this year, Dench said she now requires full-time assistance in public to avoid falling over due to her vision problems. She first revealed age-related macular degeneration in 2012, a progressive disease that is the primary reason of sight loss in the UK.
Coping with New Realities
Dench has attributed the condition with her de facto retirement from film work. "I can no longer see properly on set," she explained, adding: "Reading is also impossible. But you just cope."
"It's challenging if I have a substantial role. I haven't yet found a way. Because I have so many friends who will help me learn the script."
Her last screen credit was a small role in the 2022 holiday film Spirited; prior to that she had a more substantial part in Allelujah. The same year also earned her her eighth Academy Award nod for Belfast.
Remaining in the Public Eye
Dench still appears frequently in public, however, such as at charity events like one last month with Ian McKellen. In May, she was sculpted live for charity. She noted she would not be able to see the finished sculpture, but would touch it "if they let me."
