We’ve got a rather impressive theatrical offering here in London, haven’t we? From the stages themselves to the iconic actors that have performed upon them; the capital city boasts one of the most diverse and downright dazzling theatre scenes in the world. Over the years, plenty of the capital’s most eminent establishments have been renamed in honour of some of the industry’s most notable names. There’s the Harold Pinter, the Garrick, the Gillian Lynne – just to name a few. But another star of stage and screen is soon set to be given the West End theatre treatment. And that, my friends, is Dame Judi Dench.
From Shakespeare plays to sit-coms and Oscars to Oliviers; Dame Judi Dench has had an incredible career. And that’s soon to be celebrated in spades – because the Shaftesbury Theatre will be having a bit of a rebrand. The theatre that’s currently home to Avenue Q is London’s largest independent theatre – and from February 2027, it’ll be known as the Judi Dench Theatre.
The Shaftesbury Avenue spot is owned by the Taffner family, whose company produced Judi Dench’s much-loved sitcom ‘As Time Goes By’ back in the 90s. That’s not her only link to the theatre, though. Dame Judi Dench was a founding member of the Theatre of Comedy – a company that played a vital part in saving the Shaftesbury Theatre from closing back in the 80s.
Dame Judi Dench 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.”
Eleanor Laing, Chief Executive at the Shaftesbury Theatre, 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.”
