Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent

Written by Judi Dench and Brendan O'Hea

Narrated by Judi Dench, Brendan O'Hea and Barbara Flynn

"In a remarkable performance, Flynn laughs, jokes, and calls O'Hea to task when he's wrong--all sounding very much like the famous Dench...The final segment has Dench (in her own voice) and O'Hea engaged in friendly, very funny, squabbling. Informative, educational and altogether brilliant listening!"—AudioFile (Earphones Award Winner)


This program includes interstitial narration from Judi Dench and a bonus conversation between the authors.

Discover the work of the greatest writer in the English language as you've never encountered it before with 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.

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 Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Apr 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9781250333117

Judi Dench

Judi Dench is the foremost actress in British theatre. She was first acclaimed in 1960 as the Juliet for her generation, in the controversial Franco Zeffirelli production of ROMEO AND JULIET at the Old Vic. Her stage career has included productions with the RSC, National Theatre, West End and tours all over the world. She has triumphed in great Shakespearean leads, and on television and film, she has won several awards including an Oscar for her Queen Elizabeth I in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE and a BAFTA for her title role in IRIS. She was made a DBE in 1988 and a Companion of Honour in 2005. Most recently she has starred in a diverse range of films including THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, SKYFALL and the multi-Oscar-nominated PHILOMENA, the hit BBC TV series CRANFORD and alongside Ben Whishaw in PETER AND ALICE on stage in the West End.

Reviews for Shakespeare

[Arielle Levioff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Any performing artist should listen to this extraordinary documentary of the brilliant Dame Judy as she tells the story of her magnificent career on the stage. Too many inspiring moments to count! i didn’t want it to end.

[Anne Rutledge · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well, my English education was weak, I’ve never understood so much about Shakespeare’s literature. I’m illuminated! Entertained! I’m opened to the whole of his oevre. Thank you for this brilliantly done Audiobook.