Judi Dench’s Cheeky On-Set Antics: Garlic, Gags and a Punch

Judi Dench might be small in stature, but she’s never been one to shy away from a bit of mischief. Over the years, she’s built a reputation not just for her acting chops, but for her knack for stirring up a bit of chaos among her fellow cast members. If you reckon she’s all business, just ask anyone who’s shared a stage or set with her.

Take Lesley Manville, for example. She once found herself in a right pickle during a live performance, thanks to Dench’s antics. Dench decided to take the mickey out of her by pretending to be “pleasured from behind” mid-scene, leaving Manville so thrown she nearly lost control on stage. Manville later joked she’d have liked to see Dench locked up for her behaviour, and you can’t really blame her.

Pranks, Gags, and the Odd Bit of Mayhem

Dench’s sense of humour isn’t just limited to a bit of stage mischief. She’s been known to get up to all sorts, from sending anonymous letters to mates to making cheeky comments to complete strangers. Once, she even asked someone she didn’t know if they fancied a shag, mistaking them for someone else. It’s all part of her charm, really.

But it’s not always just a laugh. Sometimes, things get a bit physical. Michael Pennington, a long-time friend and co-star, found that out the hard way. The two have worked together since the 1970s, sharing the stage in productions like The Way of the World, The Gift of the Gorgon, and Filumena. You’d think after all those years, he’d know better than to test Dench’s patience.

When Garlic Breath Crosses the Line

Pennington once made the mistake of loading up on garlic before a love scene with Dench. She wasn’t having a bar of it. As she told The Independent,

“When we have argued, I don’t think it’s ever been serious.”

She went on to recall how Pennington had a mouse problem at home and set traps everywhere. Dench, not a fan of harming animals, decided to send him anonymous notes calling him a “Mouse Murderer!”

That was all in good fun, but the garlic incident was a different story. Before a particularly close scene, Pennington’s breath was so strong Dench felt she had no choice but to give him a quick punch. She explained,

“Once, he ate a lot of garlic before a love scene. I think I punched him for that.”

It’s hard enough pretending to be romantic with a mate, let alone when they smell like they’ve just come from an Italian restaurant.

Bad Behaviour and Good Fun

Dench admits that her friendship with Pennington has always been about having a laugh and pushing boundaries. She reckons he’s not quite as wild as she can be, but he’s had his moments.

“It’s mostly been about having fun and being badly behaved, though he’s not as uncontrolled as I can get.”

For Dench, it’s all part of the job. She might be known for her serious roles, but off-camera, she’s just as likely to be causing a bit of trouble as delivering a powerful performance. If you ever find yourself working alongside her, best keep your wits about you – and maybe lay off the garlic before any close scenes.