Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent

by Judi Dench and Brendan O'Hea

Book Overview

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Taking a curtain call with a live snake in her wig...

Cavorting naked through the Warwickshire countryside painted green...

Acting opposite a child with a pumpkin on his head...

These are just a few of the things Dame Judi Dench has done in the name of Shakespeare.

For the very first time, Judi opens up about every Shakespearean role she has played...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250386179
• ISBN13: 9781250386175
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A rare glimpse into my favorite British actress, Dame Judi Dench, as she paints a beautiful picture

I love Dame Judi Dench, and I have loved watching her perform over the years on television, but never did I get to see her on stage playing Shakespeare, who she and her husband (sadly deceased) Michael Williams, referred to Shakespeare as the man who pays the rent...so this book gives us great insight to each character she played, and we get a rare and special glimpse into how she felt about, techniques she used, people she worked for and with, such as actor Ian McKellen, and director Peter Hall! I felt like I was literally sitting in Dame Judi's living room while Brendan O'Hea asked her all his amazing questions, because he had a friendship with her that was evident, and he has the gift we don't see much anymore, of drawing a great interview out of an amazing lady! Dame Judi has a photographic memory, so you really get a great picture, almost like you're there in the audience, as she paints and explains every character she played. We also get to see some of her amazing artwork which with the story, really gives us an added gift. It really made me understand Shakespeare in a way I've never been able to before, and I believe through Dame Judi's eyes and stories, we can understand what his plays were meant to portray! I laughed, and just fell more in love with this legend, Dame Judi, and even loved Brendan, and his funny cheek, and beautiful way of painting Dame Judi's vision of her parts. It's a masterpiece in my opinion, and I'm so glad someone convinced Brendan to write it! The world needs to hear these stories, and more ladies, for she is a true lady in my mind, like Dame Judi Dench! I highly recommend this book! 5 stars is not enough!!! I loved it!!!