Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent

By: Judi Dench, Brendan O'Hea

Narrated by: Barbara Flynn, Brendan O'Hea, Judi Dench

"In a remarkable performance, Flynn laughs, jokes, and calls O'Hea to task when he's wrong—all sounding very much like the famous Dench...The final segment has Dench (in her own voice) and O'Hea engaged in friendly, very funny, squabbling. Informative, educational and altogether brilliant listening!"—AudioFile (Earphones Award Winner)

This program includes interstitial narration from Judi Dench and a bonus conversation between the authors.

Discover the work of the greatest writer in the English language as you've never encountered it before with 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.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2024 Judi Dench and Brendan O'Hea (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"A magical love letter to Shakespeare"—Kenneth Branagh

"A literary demonstration of how the iconic actor has lost none of her energy, flair, and fiery intelligence... Dench’s memoir of the roles she has loved is a witty, thoroughly entertaining romp through the Shakespearean world."—Kirkus (starred review)

"...it’s a mark of Dench’s impish genius and O’Hea’s deftness that it genuinely feels like you’re sitting at her kitchen table with her. It’s companionable and compelling–if you love Judi Dench or Shakespeare (and most of us do), look no further."—The Guardian

The theatre history, the mischievous leading lady and her delightful interviewer

I loved this audio book. It felt like I was sitting in Jude’s leaving room watching the fun these two had talking about Shakespeare and his profound effect on their lives as well as the lives of so many others over the centuries. It taught me more about the plays while also being completely entertaining. I fell in love with both Dame Judy and Brendan O’Hea. One of my absolute favorites.

One of my favorites.

I love Shakespeare and Judi Dench takes into the heart of her experiences with passion and humor. I’ve listened to this book three times and enjoyed each insight and each anecdote immensely.

Glorious Judy Denchaster Class

I absolutely loved and enjoyed this book. I knew I wanted the Judy Dench "narration," and it was totally worth it. It was a delightful study, and I will listen to it many times. I feel so lucky to have heard this book.

A Delightful Listen

This conversation between Dame Judi and Brendan was a delight for the ears. Judi brought Shakespeare to life in the episodes.

a treasure

Great treat for all Shakespeare lovers and Ms. Dench's admirers. Delightful listen and read.

she makes Shakespeare so real

I know Judi Dench from her later movies & from As Time Goes By in PBS TV which was enough to make me a solid fan; I was aware she had played Shakespeare, but not that it had been the main entree of her long career, not that she lives & breathes it; I wish she could teach it to middle/high school students as they would all be transfixed & taken in (way better than an outdated poor quality blk & wht movie they show in class after you stumble thru Romeo & Juliet/Julius Caesar/MacBeth!); he & his works come alive in her telling; once again, listening proved bios are SO much better if the person themselves is talking/telling their story; she & Brenden OHea are fabulous together; do wish she would skip the spicy language as she clearly has a favorite unsavory word; the title is SO clever as the Bard clearly grabbed her heart & mind, educated her, & paid her rent for decades; she is such a diverse personality & God given talent groomed over a extended career of diligent enthusiastic work; thank you Judi for entertaining the world all your life & for sharing yourself w/us in this book

Shakespeare- the man who pays the rent.

I loved it all. Every single word. Brilliant. I wish it was longer. Hearing them discuss it all, felt as if I were in the room with them. It is so comfortable and I listened to this book while driving from NY to MT. Highly recommend it.

Perfect for fans of Shakespeare

I pre-ordered this months ago, and have been waiting for it for months. it arrived on April 23, the day on which we celebrate Shakespeare's birthday, and I listened to the whole thing in one day. I enjoyed every minute of it.

wonderful on so many levels

the words of Shakespeare. Hearing judy speak the lines. Her insights into the plays. Her insights into acting. Her stories about other productions and other actors. so much more. if you don't like Shakespeare or judy Dench you would still enjoy this audiobook

Great interview and insights

This was such a great overview of Shakespeare and Judi Dench’s career. It was a fascinating and fun listen!