Laura Howarth Somewhat of a national treasure and York born and bred, Dame Judi Dench is returning up north this festive season to voice the giant in the Giggleswick school play.
Beginning her acting career in York, Dench has performed in the York Mystery Plays three times and is patron for the 2012 plays which are returning to St. Mary’s Abbey for the first time since 1988.
Evidently holding York firmly within her heart, the voice of the giant however is a step away from the internationally renowned and award winning roles that Dench has held on theatre and screen and will be the first time the actress has leant her voice to a school play.
As patron of the Richard Whitely Theatre at the school; the late Countdown presenter and former pupil of Giggleswick School, Dench was approached by Angus Broadbent, one of the sixth-formers of the ninety strong cast of Stephen Sondheim’s musical ‘Into the Woods.’ Surprised by a response, Angus said to The Telegraph “We were delighted and excited, when she wrote back and agreed to be part of the production” which depicts funny twists upon traditional fairytales in the true pursuit of a happily ever after.
Dench’s voice recording will be gracing the boards alongside a thrilled cast in performances between the 1st till the 3rd of December at the school.
