Judi Dench, 91, says trigger warnings have 'gone too far' and are 'mollycoddling' audiences as she says 'if you're that sensitive, don't go to the theatre'

Dame Judi Dench has said she believes trigger warnings have 'gone too far' and have started to 'mollycoddle' audiences.

The 91-year-old actress shared her thoughts on the content advisories issued before a production, and insisted the best productions are those which push viewers out of their comfort zones.

Speaking to Brendan O'Hea for her memoir Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, she said in an extract published by The Times magazine: 'I think they have gone too far. It's mollycoddling. If you're that sensitive, don't go to the theatre.

'By all means keep the warnings about strobe lighting and gunshots, and obviously there should be age limits for children, but that's about it.

'Otherwise, where will it end? The trigger warnings before Titus Andronicus would be longer than the play.

'And if you overdo the warnings, doesn't it take away from the audience's enjoyment of the story?

'Do you tell them that the butler did it in an Agatha Christie play so as not to shock them?

'Besides, in the safety of a theatre or cinema, I want to be triggered, excited, stimulated, provoked and disturbed, to be taken out of my comfort zone. Isn't that what makes theatre and films so thrilling?'

The Skyfall actress questioned just where trigger warnings should stop.

She added: 'And who knows what might trigger people? Balloons, clowns, buttons … I have a friend who doesn't like bananas. She feels physically sick every time she sees one. Should supermarkets put up warning signs in the fruit and veg aisle? It drives me wild.'

Meanwhile, Judi feels there are few benefits to getting older and gets frustrated when she is asked about retirement.

Asked the advantages of getting older, she said: 'Yes, one - they give you a dressing room nearer the stage. Otherwise, forget it.

'And you have to contend with people asking, 'When are you going to retire?' or, 'Isn't it about time you put your feet up?' No, it bloody well isn't. 'Retire', 'vintage', 'old' - let's banish those words. I want to be like Newton Blick, who died in his dressing room after a performance.

'I want to be one of those women who throw themselves out of planes when they're 100.'

The Oscar-winning actress also said she 'loathes' being called a national treasure.

She explained: '[It] makes me sound like a dusty old relic that's been stuffed away in the back of the cupboard, along with some dinosaur fossils and a broken Roman shield.'

Judi also has no plans to stop taking on new work and said she hates being constantly asked when she will retire and hopes to die in her dressing room after a performance. 

'“Retire”, “vintage”, “old” — let’s banish those words. I want to be like Newton Blick, who died in his dressing room after a performance. I want to be one of those women who throw themselves out of planes when they’re 100.'

Judi was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) back in 2012 which can cause permanent and rapid central vision loss, and is the number one cause of vision loss in people over 50.

Explaining how she isn't going to let her diagnosis prevent her from working she told The Times that she copes with the condition in the same way her mother did, 'by relying on other people and pretending she hadn’t got it. I’m quite good at acting as if I can see.'

The star also revealed she has had to find a different way to learn her lines as she can no longer read the scripts. 

However, with the help of her friends and more time to prepare she added she is able to 'somehow muddle through'.

Last December Judi shared her fears she 'will lose the plot' due to her deteriorating eyesight and short-term memory loss.

The legendary actress spoke frankly about her health and her former friendship with disgraced American producer Harvey Weinstein in a wide-ranging interview with the Radio Times.

Judi admitted she can no longer see the television and has to rely upon her team of assistants to help her with day-to-day tasks.

'It's a crusher,' said Judi, after revealing both her eyes are beyond treatment as they are in the progressed 'wet' stage of AMD.

'I miss seeing Clive Myrie doing Mastermind, but I can hear the questions,' Dame Judi added, when asked about what she missed.

The actress had to give up driving, embroidery and even going out alone.

Despite these challenges, Judi continues to work by having friends and colleagues read her scripts aloud, which she then learns using her photographic memory.

And the actress admitted while she can reel off reams of Shakespeare's soliloquies, she 'can’t remember what I’m doing tomorrow, I swear to you'. When asked if she fears she will 'lose the plot', she answered: 'Oh yes'.

Dame Judi then asked the interviewer to consult her assistants, who confirmed they help run her life.