Shakespeare: the Man who Pays the Rent

When Brendan O'Hea conducted a series of interviews with Dame Judi Dench, he did not initially plan to turn the research into a book. Fortunately he changed his mind and has produced not only Judi Dench's reminiscences about the many Shakespearean plays in which she has performed but also also her thoughts about plays, acting and the theatre.

It is interesting to read an actor's view on roles she has performed and the different interpretations produced depending on who directed the play and in which theatre it was performed. Many of the plays were ones that I was introduced to at school and university so I enjoyed reading the interpretation of someone who has performed the plays for a living. The sections of the book that I also found interesting and entertaining were entitled Play, Company, Fireside Ramblings, Rose Theatre, Failure, Rehearsal, Critics, Shakespeare's Language, Audience, Changing Times and Future of Shakespeare. These provided an introduction to being an actor performing in the theatre.

As the title suggests there is much humour in the recollections as Dame Judy looks back on her many roles as a Shakespearean actor. Illustrations throughout the book are sketches made by Judi Dench.