London's Shaftesbury theatre to be renamed Judi Dench theatre

The Lead

Dame Judi Dench is to have a West End theatre renamed after her, becoming only the second non-royal woman to be honoured in such a way. The Shaftesbury theatre will be known as the Judi Dench theatre from February 2027.

The Renaming of a West End Icon

The theatre said Dench was 'one of the greatest actors of our time' and that the name change would 'ensure Dame Judi's legacy continues to inspire future generations of performers and audiences alike'. Dench has a long association with the Shaftesbury, which is one of the largest independent theatres in London and is the only West End location with a dome that opens.

The Significance of the Renaming

It is unusual for a theatre to be named after a living person. The vast majority were named posthumously to honour men, including John Gielgud, Harold Pinter and Noël Coward. The first West End theatre to honour a woman was Andrew Lloyd Webber's New London theatre, which was renamed after Gillian Lynne (the Cats choreographer) in 2018.

The Impact on Dench's Legacy

Dench, 91, has been vocal about ageing and her struggles with macular degeneration. The renaming is a testament to her enduring impact on British theatre. 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.'

The Future of the Shaftesbury Theatre

The renaming will follow a renovation, including restoration of the building's dome and backstage area. The theatre'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.'