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.”
Dench, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Shakespeare in Love (1998), was left particularly bowled over by the honour as the venue “has always held a special place in my heart”.
The actor, who was a founding member of the Theatre of Comedy, a collective of actors and authors who had part shares in the Shaftesbury Theatre, added: “My relationship to the Theatre of Comedy and to the Taffner family goes back many years and to have this beautiful theatre renamed after me is truly overwhelming.
“Live theatre continues to be so important as a way of telling stories and entertaining audiences, something I have aimed to do all my working life.”
Chair Donald Taffner Jr said: “We have such fond memories of Judi at the Shaftesbury from the meetings for the Theatre of Comedy members to when her husband was performing in a number of the Theatre of Comedy productions.
“Aside from business, my parents would often talk about how much they enjoyed spending time with Judi and Michael in both NY and London. We are therefore delighted to recognise her extraordinary talent and extensive contribution to many in the renaming of our theatre.”
The Shaftesbury Theatre – the only West End location with a dome that opens – was originally called New Prince’s Theatre when it was built in 1911, and changed its name in 1962 in commemoration of the original Shaftesbury Theatre, which was destroyed in the Blitz.
The renaming will follow a renovation, including a restoration of the building’s signature dome as well as the improvement of backstage areas.
Over the course of Dench’s seven-decade career on stage and screen, she has become one of the country’s most decorated stars, garnering one Oscar, one Tony, two Golden Globes, four TV Baftas, six film Baftas and seven Olivier awards.
The York-born actor – loved for her warmth and mischief, and best known for playing M in the James Bond franchise, as well as roles in the films Notes on a Scandal (2006) and Philomena (2013) – made her professional debut in 1957 with the Old Vic Company.
She was made a Dame for her services to performing in 1988.
