Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench

Taking a curtain call with a live snake in her wig; being painted green and cavorting naked through the Warwickshire countryside; acting opposite a child with a pumpkin on his head… these are just a few things Dame Judi Dench has done in the name of Shakespeare.In this book, Dench tells us about every Shakespearean role she’s ever played. Written in dialogue with fellow artist Brendan O’Hea, she guides us through Shakespeare’s plays with incisive clarity, reveals the secrets behind her rehearsal process, and invites us to share in her triumphs, disasters, and backstage shenanigans. As Dench herself says, ‘Shakespeare is an international language, a beacon for humanity, and a bridge across cultures. Everything you have felt or are yet to feel is all in there in his plays.’