Review: Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench; Brendan O'Hea

Thank you to the publisher for my copy. All thoughts are my own.

I love Shakespeare. I love actors talking about their art. I love discovering new things in old stories. So, when I saw this book come through my inbox, I had to read it. It was such a wonderful, joyful celebration of classical theatre and our modern outlook on plays that have been produced for centuries. I love the history, the speculation, the interpretation. It makes me so happy and really gets my brain moving. I had a blast reading this book and if you’re a Shakespeare nerd or just someone who loves theatre, I highly recommend it!

Synopsis:

Discover the work of the greatest writer in the English language as you’ve never encountered it before by preordering Judi Dench’s Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent – one legendary actress’ inspiring, moving and brilliant journey through the plays of William 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.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

  1. The Personal Nature of the Writing—I loved how close Judi was the characters she played. I loved how she delved into moments of her personal life and where she was, physically and mentally, while working on these characters. Her relationships with directors and famous companies! It was so wonderful. Informative and personal.

  2. An Acting Masterclass—My favorite part of hearing from my favorite actors is getting insight into how their brains see the text. I learned so much that I can’t wait to apply to my own work.

  3. Conversational, Entertaining Structure—This is an easy book to read and enjoy, whether you are a Shakespeare fan or not. It’s such a joyful listen, if you can get the audiobook. It feels conversational and Judi’s giggle is so precious.

What Didn’t Work For Me:

  1. Nothing, I loved this book so much. It was a pure joy to read and reignited a love for Shakespeare and, acting in general, that I’ve let fall to the wayside.

Character Authenticity: N/A Spice Rating: N/A Overall Rating: 5/5

Content Warnings:

anything mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays that could be tough for you!