British actress DAME Judi Dench made a surprise cameo in the London production of Les Miserables last night (06MAY04) - before rushing off to take the lead in a William Shakespeare play.

The IRIS star, 69, is currently starring as the COUNTESS OF ROSSILLION in the ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY's (RSC) production of ALLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL at the British capital's GIELGUD THEATRE.

But Dench stunned the audience at the QUEEN'S THEATRE when she appeared in the chorus of French revolution musical Les Miserables, before rushing back to the Gielgud a few doors down on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Dench enthuses, "It was absolutely wonderful to be in Les Mis."

07/05/2004 17:36