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Discover the work of the greatest writer in the English language as you've never encountered it before by ordering 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.
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As a theatre geek and a Shakespeare fan, this was a terrifically breezy - yet insightful - read. If you're used to reading the thoughts on Shakespeare's women through the lens of male critics or academic scholars, this work is a balm for the soul. Dench shares her thoughts, experiences, and insights into portraying Shakespeare's most iconic women. She also shares her thoughts on aging, art, and many other topics relevant to both life and Shakespeare. The book is essentially cleaned-up transcriptions of conversations between Dench and director Brendan O'Hea, which makes for a quick and entertaining read. It feels light, even with the heft of Dench's expertise and wit shining through. Recommended for theatre lovers and Shakespeare lovers of all stripes.