Shakespeare: The Man

Internationally renowned actor Dame Judi Dench's SHAKESPEARE: The Man Who Pays The Rent is a witty, insightful journey through the plays and tales of our beloved Shakespeare, where the greatest writer in the English language is discovered like never before. 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. Dench 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.

Taking a curtain call with a live snake in her wig, cavorting naked through the Warwickshire countryside painted green, or 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. 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, this program invites listeners to discover the work of the greatest writer in the English language as they've never encountered it before, guided by the insightful and entertaining perspective of the legendary Dame Judi Dench.

product information: