Shaftesbury Theatre To Be Renamed After Judi Dench
Oh, Judi, the icon you are!
The Shaftesbury Theatre has announced it will be renamed in honour of Judi Dench as part of a wider refurbishment programme, recognising her legacy to British theatre, film, and television.
We will certainly be attending The Judi Dench Theatre from February 2027!
About The Name Change
The renaming announcement comes alongside an extensive restoration of the Grade II-listed theatre, which first opened in 1911 as the New Prince's Theatre. Planned works include restoring the auditorium dome, refreshing decorative schemes inspired by the original design, and upgrading backstage facilities, with performances continuing throughout the refurbishment at reduced capacity.
Who Is Judi Dench?
Only a landmark queen of the stage and screen! Judi's career spans decades. On stage, she is widely celebrated for her Shakespearean work, including roles such as Lady Macbeth, Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet early in her career. On screen, she reached global audiences with performances such as M in the James Bond films, beginning with GoldenEye and continuing through Skyfall and beyond.
Her film work also includes an Academy Award-winning turn as Queen Victoria in Mrs Brown, as well as memorable roles in Shakespeare in Love, Philomena, A Room with a View, and Notes on a Scandal. On television, she became a household favourite through As Time Goes By, a long-running series that also reflects her close creative ties to the Theatre of Comedy and the Taffner family.
