The Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End is set to be renamed after Dame Judi Dench, celebrating her "unparalleled contribution" to British theatre and the performing arts. From February 2027, the venue will be known as the Judi Dench Theatre, honouring her long-standing links with the theatre.
A Career Spanning Seven Decades
Dame Judi Dench has enjoyed a career spanning seven decades and is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished actresses of her generation. She was a founding member of the Theatre of Comedy, a collective that staged productions at the Shaftesbury in the 1980s and 1990s.
Dame Judi's Reaction
Dame Judi said: "The Shaftesbury theatre has always held a special place in my heart. My relationship to the Theatre of Comedy and to the Taffner family goes back many years, and to have this beautiful theatre renamed after me is truly overwhelming. Live theatre continues to be so important as a way of telling stories and entertaining audiences, something I have aimed to do all my working life."
Renovation and Renaming
The renaming will take place following a renovation, which includes the restoration of the venue's iconic dome and its backstage area. Dame Judi will become only the second non-royal woman to be honoured by a theatre, after Andrew Lloyd Webber's New London Theatre was renamed after Cats choreographer Gillian Lynne in 2018.
Statements from Theatre Leadership
The Shaftesbury's chief executive Eleanor Lang said: "We don't celebrate brilliant women enough in our West End theatre names, so we are delighted that her name will be forever in lights above our doorway." The theatre's chairman Donald Taffner Jnr added: "We have such fond memories of Judi at the Shaftesbury. We are therefore delighted to recognise her extraordinary talent and extensive contribution to many in the renaming of our theatre."
