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Shakespeare
- The Man Who Pays the Rent
- Narrated by: Brendan O’Hea, Barbara Flynn, Judi Dench
- Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins
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Shakespeare
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Discover the work of the greatest writer in the English language as you've never encountered it before by pre-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
Read by Barbara Flynn (Open All Hours, The Durrels) and the book’s co-author Brendan O’Hea. Also featuring a warm and witty exclusive bonus conversation between Dame Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea about the making of the book.
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.
Critic reviews
'A MAGICAL LOVE LETTER TO SHAKESPEARE' Sir Kenneth Branagh
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- A S Ravenscroft
- 24-01-24
Enchanting
Illuminating, witty, utterly delightful insights into why Shakespeare is such a wonderful writer and Judi Dench such an amazing actor. She and Brendan are clearly very close friends and very funny too.
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- J G KELLY
- 02-03-24
Brava! An Absolute Joy!
Excellent retelling of Judi’s conversations with Brendan. So lovely to hear Judi herself when quoting Shakespeare. I saw these two at The Barbican in October and what a joy it was. I also have a copy of the book which I will treasure always. Having just finished listening to the audio book and the little podcast they did on finishing, I just want to say that I would happily pay for the unabridged recording of their conversations, swear words and all!
Thank you to all involved ❤️
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- C
- 04-11-23
Superb listen
Great job Brendan O’Hea in bringing this to fruition. What an enjoyable, informative, funny listen. National treasures should be celebrated and this does it. Bravo Judi Dench. Yours is a life well lived and shared.
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- julie jones
- 09-12-23
A Life Well Lived
I have always loved Judi Dench - her voice - humour and sense of fun. I have never understood Shakespeare but now I do thanks to this wonderful audio book. Thank you so much to everyone involved in the making of this book it has given me a real boost - I have been feeling quite low and I feel happier and am looking forward to reading Shakespeare now and hoping to discover some of the magic Judi has experienced from his writing. Thank you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- H M Roberts
- 31-12-23
Superb - an absolute joy.
I was filled with trepidation at the prospect of listening to this rather than reading it - but I am so glad that I did. Barbara Flynn absolutely encapsulates Dame Judi whom I saw on stage in many of the performances remembered in this book. It is a masterful performance - I completely forgot that I was not listening to Dame Judi herself, her irrepressible humour, energy, love of language, love of theatre, respect for her fellow actors and the producers she's worked with, her friendships, her passion for theatre - and especially for Shakespeare, all immaculately brought to life. Flynn does not mimic nor copy, she inhabits - perfectly. Her pace, pitch, inflection, and her rendition of Shakespeare's lines within the chapters are just brilliant. It is also a paen of praise for the golden age of British Theatre - and the luminaries of theatre of the time from Peter Hall to Franco Zefferelli, from Peter Brook to Kenneth Branagh, and what is important about the Arts - and theatre, how Shakespeare illuminates and enhances all our lives - when it is done well! And Dame Judi certainly does it well. As others have commented, I wish the swearing had not been edited out ... part of who she is - other than that little gripe, congratulations to PRH and Barbara Flynn, Brendan O'Hea and producer Roy MacMillan for bringing Dame Judi's words to life so beautifully.
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- Kindle Customer
- 18-01-24
Stunning!
I adored this book! The relationship between the pair is magnificent and the performance of the book is beautiful.
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- Friend of Felix
- 28-10-23
Fantastic listen
I loved this so much. Informative and amusing at the same time. If you are interested in Shakespeare, Judi Dench’s career or the theatre more generally you should listen.
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- Anonymous User
- 10-11-23
Fab book
Entertaining & informative. Never previously got to grips with Shakespeare but hearing Judi discuss her experience and understanding of the language, characters and narratives, is completely absorbing. Brilliantly delivered by Barbara.
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- Leigh H
- 24-01-24
Pure Perfection
An absolute delight. Informative, warm and humorous. Barbara Flynn makes a convincing Judy Dench and Brendan O’Hea’s questions and comments are infused with such warmth and regard for Judy. I love the Epilogue in which Brendan and the real Judy are in conversation. My love for and understanding of Shakespeare has reached new heights thanks to this most brilliant book.
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- Tom Watson
- 01-11-23
This is a lovely book
Dame Judi made her professional debut in 1957 at the Old Vic theatre, quickly establishing herself in formidable roles like Ophelia in Hamlet and Desdemona in Othello. In seven decades of playing roles on stage and screen she speaks of Shakespeare’s characters like lifetime friends. And her acting anecdotes are touching, witty and laced with deep love for her craft. I can’t recommend this book enough.
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