by Judi Dench
First published 2024
Dame Judi Dench opens her theatrical vault for the first time, sharing stories from her seventy-year journey through Shakespeare's greatest roles. In conversations with actor and director Brendan O'Hea, she recounts her experiences playing Lady Macbeth, Titania, Ophelia, and Cleopatra. Dench reveals her rehearsal methods and interpretation techniques while serving up backstage stories that have never been told publicly. She describes taking curtain calls with live snakes in her wig, performing painted green in the Warwickshire countryside, and acting opposite children wearing pumpkins as heads. The book weaves together her insights on speaking verse, working with audiences and critics, and maintaining company spirit. Dench balances theatrical instruction with personal anecdotes, offering both practical wisdom and entertainment. Her honest reflections and mischievous humor illuminate the craft behind her legendary performances. This collection stands as her personal tribute to the playwright she calls The Man Who Pays The Rent.
Genres: drama, literary-criticism, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: behind-the-scenes, personal-anecdotes
400 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin’s Press