Judi Dench has revealed a phobia of groups of schoolchildren, which made shooting her Oscar-nominated role in 2006 drama Notes on a Scandal a challenging experience.
Speaking to an audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, Dench said she had a “wonderful time” shooting the adaptation of Zoe Heller’s novel about a secondary school teacher (Cate Blanchett) who embarks on an affair with a student. But she admitted the role forced her to confront one of her greatest horrors.
“I have always had a terrible fear of a lot of schoolchildren together,” said the actor, 79. “I don’t know why but I just have.”
Dench, who portrayed devious teacher Barbara in the film, a part she described as a “complete monster”, added: On my very first day playing this rather difficult part, I was confronted by a whole school of children. I was absolutely petrified.
“We used several of them in the film. They all turned out to be absolutely wonderful – completely committed and enthusiastic and interesting to talk to and interested in what we were doing. To some extent I got over my fear.”
Dench’s comments were first reported in the Radio Times.
