All posts tagged: Dench

London West End theatre changing name to honour Judi Dench

London West End theatre changing name to honour Judi Dench

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter The Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End is officially changing its name to honour Dame Judi Dench, who has been left “truly overwhelmed” by the news. It was announced on Tuesday (16 June) that the venue will change its name to Judi Dench Theatre in celebration of the Oscar-winning thespian’s contribution to the performing arts. The new name will take effect from February 2027. The Shaftesbury Theatre said the tribute “will ensure Dame Judi’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of performers and audiences alike”, with Chief Executive Eleanor Lang stating: “We don’t celebrate brilliant women enough in our West End theatre names, so we are delighted that her name will be forever in lights above our doorway.” Dame Judi Dench’s name will be immortalised in lights thanks to theatre’s renaming (Getty) Dench, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting …

A statue of Queen Victoria, memorial trees and a swimming pool: Judi Dench’s garden – in eight poignant items | Judi Dench

A statue of Queen Victoria, memorial trees and a swimming pool: Judi Dench’s garden – in eight poignant items | Judi Dench

Published by Sam Flores

A visit to Dame Judi Dench’s garden in Surrey is bittersweet. The 2.4-hectare (six-acre) plot contains enough trees – about 100 – to count as an arboretum. Among them is a carpet of wild garlic and a wildlife pond from which rabbits like to sip. But each of these trees represents someone she knew who has died. As her eyesight has nearly gone, Dench, who features in the latest episode of the Royal Horticulture Society’s new podcast, Roots, navigates her way around the garden via memories and smell. Here, she shares her stories of the garden and discusses the items that mean the most to her. A young oak tree for her husband A tree dedicated to her husband, Michael Williams. Dench will soon plant another to commemorate their wedding anniversary. Photograph: RHS Dench was married to the actor Michael Williams for 30 years before he died of lung cancer in 2001. She is about to plant a young oak tree, sent to her by her daughter, Finty, and her grandson, Sammy, in commemoration of …

Judi Dench affectionately described as a ‘mischief maker’ by former co-star

Judi Dench affectionately described as a ‘mischief maker’ by former co-star

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Rosamund Pike has named Dame Judi Dench as the finest actress she has ever collaborated with, affectionately describing the veteran star as a “mischief maker”. The 47-year-old actress, known for her roles in Gone Girl and Saltburn, shared her admiration during an interview with comedian Romesh Ranganathan on BBC Radio 2. Pike, who worked alongside Dame Judi in a 2009 London production of Madame de Sade and the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day, lauded her for being “so delightful” and her remarkable ability to seamlessly transition into character. “The best actress I’ve ever worked with is Judi Dench, who’s such a mischief maker,” Pike stated. “She’s so delightful. She’s so, so good. If you ever just want to just hear something short, listen to Judi Dench read a Shakespeare sonnet, just find one on YouTube, and it will move …