I really enjoyed watching the BBC’s programme on Judi Dench: All the World’s Her Stage this week.

It was a celebration of the British actress, portrayed by many of the directors and well-loved actors with whom she has worked over the years, from Samantha Bond, Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan to Jim Broadbent.

I particularly enjoyed the scenes which showed her in her most loved genre, the Theatre.

She listed her preferences as Theatre, TV and then the Movies.

Ironic that the least well paid would be her favourite, but so understandable for those of us who work in this format. There is quite simply nothing like it!

Judi Dench is undoubtedly one of those actress that becomes the character she is acting and you believe they are that character, you forget they are acting.

For me that is when you have seen a true actor.

I remember being blow away the first time I saw a true actor act, it was at that moment that acting become an art to me and I became fascinated by the process behind it.

The programme was lovely to watch not only to see a true professional in action but also to see real theatre happening, all be it historically.

This current lockdown is once again taking a toll on those in the arts (as it is on everyone) and, as we have no timescale for reopening, it was wonderful to see a recording of actors, laughing and joking, to watch the process of rehearsing for a show and then to see clips of theatre on stage.

That all feels very real and normal and it gave hope for the future.