By Eva Trieger
SAN DIEGO — When we think about female leading ladies or icons of the screen, names like Meryl Streep, Cher, Jane Fonda, or Glenn Close may spring to mind. Not to detract from these gals, but they’re not dames. Oh, sure. They’re women, and Damon Runyon may have called them dames, but the ladies I’m spotlighting are Dames…that’s right, acting royalty!
A delightful documentary film is made available by a coordinated effort on the parts of IFC Films and Landmark Theatres. Mark your calendars now for this exclusive San Diego engagement of Tea with the Dames. Through honest, candid conversations, the viewer is invited into the private world of these four phenoms as they chat, gossip, sip champagne and reflect upon their 50-year friendship.
Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Joan Plowright and Dame Eileen Atkins collect at Plowright’s estate to recall their careers, husbands, attitudes and successes. Each of these fine actresses entered the limelight in the 1950s and still performs today. The Olivier Award, equal to our Tony, has been awarded to each of these women for her excellence in acting.
The women discussed what life was like as a newbie. They talked about living in rented flats and giggled about, “if the landlady wasn’t nice, you’d nail a kipper under the table” when you left. Maggie Smith described acting with Sir John Gielgud and working with Michel Saint Denis who would provide notes and the end of an act, criticizing or recommending changes.
Dame Eileen Atkins noted that she was turned down four times for “not being pretty enough” and admits she didn’t have the courage to play Cleopatra. Dame Joan Plowright also felt unequal to this role. When Judi Dench was asked to portray this role she recalled saying, “You want a menopausal dwarf to play this part?” Dame Maggie Smith bravely took up the challenge.
The women often reflected on how aging has impacted their careers. Mainly, they all admitted to tiring more easily and found it ironic that they could remember whole monologues today that they struggled to memorize 40 years ago! When asked if first days are still scary, they concurred that ALL days are scary. The Dames noted that their fellow actors would roll their eyes and sigh “if you got it wrong.” Yet, each of these icons persevered.
Their conversation was completely sincere and lacked any guile. In one exchange between Eileen and Judi, Eileen stated, “I don’t think you and I needed the 60s. We were wild before that!” When asked by the director, how becoming a Dame impacted the actresses, both Maggie and Judi declared, “You can still swear. You can swear more!” And to prove this point, when the director urged the Dames, “Talk more about getting old,” Dame Maggie said, “F** off Roger!” The director also asked the Dames if they would work forever. They all replied, “If we’re asked,” yet all agreed, “Judi gets all the parts first!”
What advice would each of these great ladies give to her younger self? Dame Joan said she wished she’d known about yoga and mindfulness so that she could have experienced the brain/body connection sooner. Dame Eileen wishes she were less confrontational, and that she listened more. Dame Maggie said she would advise her youthful self, “When in doubt, DON’T!” and Dame Judi would have counseled herself to “not be so susceptible to falling in love” to which Dame Joan replied, “It’s never too late.”
Tea with the Dames will open at Landmark’s Ken Cinema on October 12th and while you can’t bring your own scones or sherry, do come prepared to share in their wit, wisdom, experience and attitude!
For more information call 619.283.3227.
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Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com