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Shakespeare

The instant Sunday Times Bestseller from our most beloved stage and screen actress

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Shakespeare

By: Judi Dench
Narrated by: Brendan O’Hea, Barbara Flynn, Judi Dench
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Discover the work of the greatest writer in the English language as you've never encountered it before by listening to internationally renowned actor Dame Judi Dench's SHAKESPEARE: The Man Who Pays The Rent - a witty, insightful journey through the plays and tales of our beloved Shakespeare

Read by Barbara Flynn (Open All Hours, The Durrels) and the book’s co-author Brendan O’Hea. Also featuring a warm and witty exclusive bonus conversation between Dame Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea about the making of the book.

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 throughout her seven-decade career, from Lady Macbeth and Titania to Ophelia and Cleopatra. In a series of intimate conversations with actor & director Brendan O'Hea, she guides us through Shakespeare's plays with incisive clarity, revealing the secrets of her rehearsal process and inviting us to share in her triumphs, disasters, and backstage shenanigans.

Interspersed with vignettes on audiences, critics, company spirit and rehearsal room etiquette, she serves up priceless revelations on everything from the craft of speaking in verse to her personal interpretations of some of Shakespeare's most famous scenes, all brightened by her mischievous sense of humour, striking level of honesty and a peppering of hilarious anecdotes, many of which have remained under lock and key until now.

Instructive and witty, provocative and inspiring, this is ultimately Judi's love letter to Shakespeare, or rather, The Man Who Pays The Rent.

'A MAGICAL LOVE LETTER TO SHAKESPEARE' Sir Kenneth Branagh

©2023 Judi Dench (P)2023 Penguin Audio

 Drama & Plays Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Shakespeare Celebrity Entertainment Theatre Funny Thought-Provoking Witty

Critic Reviews

Wonderfully inspiring. A delightful spell in the company of one of our greatest and most thoughtful actresses
A magical love letter to Shakespeare
A wonderful mixture of appreciation and anecdote
It’s a mark of Dench’s impish genius and O’Hea’s deftness that it genuinely feels like you’re sitting at her kitchen table with her. It’s companionable and compelling – if you love Judi Dench or Shakespeare (and most of us do), look no further
Gorgeous flows of recollection
An utterly delightful book…there can be few higher pleasures in civilised life than hearing Judi Dench recite the poetry of Shakespeare. What emerges is a wealth of unpretentious horse sense – Shakespeare from a great actor’s perspective – that repeatedly strikes to the heart of the matter with a sharp instinctive intelligence that puts fancy-pants literary critics to shame
This is a gloriously entertaining tour through the canon in the company of perhaps the most experienced living Shakespearean actor; reading it feels like a chat with an old friend.
The book is pure enchantment. It swirls and dances with brilliance and mischief, so forget traditional Shakespearean criticism and analysis. Sack the Eng. Lit. professors. As never before, this book brings the subject to wild, authentic life.
A wonderful ode to the bard
Riveting, revealing and witty
All stars
Most relevant
PURE JOY to spend time with the indelible Judi Dench and her love of Shakespeare! This book is wonder-filled with her great insight to the plays, her hilarious banter with Brendan O’Hea and her impish spirit :)
And Barbara Flynn does a stellar job of capturing Dame Judi’s rhythm, warmth and her delightful giggle! Thank you 💗

Full of wonder, wisdom and wit - a brilliant listen!

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How wonderful to listen to this book.
For me it was learning about Shakespeare and how marvellous a writer he was and I now understand his plays so much more. Thank you Judy and Brendan even if you did get mad with each other. That only made me laugh.

Shakespeare

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It was a gift to listen to Judi Dench remember her time playing different Shakespearean characters. It made the whole theatre world come alive. I am so very grateful to have been part of this amazing walk through Shakespearean’s stories

Shakespeare came alive

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Judy Dench’s retelling of her years in the theatre brings depth and insights into Shakespeare the man, his plays and the characters he created. It was a joy to listen to.

Sheer bliss

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Exquisite in every way. Love the narration and I’ve definitely found I have a renewed understanding and passion for Shakespeare.

Brilliant

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