Dame Judi Dench, pictured in 1968, celebrated her 90th birthday this week.
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looks incredible in unearthed photographs from 1968 in which the then-34-year-old took on the role of Sally Bowles in the debut of Cabaret.
In a photocall for Harold Prince’s production of the musical, Judi can be seen wearing a brunette wig while looking glamorous in a slinky sequinned dress.
Judi, having made a name for herself in plays, was offered the lead role of Sally Bowles despite never having done a musical and disliking singing in public.
Her portrayal of the iconic character received rave reviews, with critics such as Ken Mandelbaum asserting that Judi “was the finest of all the Sallys” despite not having a “great singing voice”.
As Dame Judi celebrates her 90th birthday this week, here’s a look at one of the defining roles of her career.
Dame Judi Dench was the first actress to play Sally Bowles in Cabaret on London’s West End.
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Judi Dench as Sally Bowles in a photocall for Harold Prince’s production of Cabaret.
(Image: Getty)
Dame Judi was a rising star when she played Sally. She joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1961 and won a BAFTA for Most Promising Newcomer in 1966.
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A critic said Dame Judi was “the finest of all the Sallys” despite not having a “great singing voice”.
(Image: Getty)