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Jun 16, 2026
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Judi Dench to Have London's Shaftesbury Theatre Renamed in Her Honour

AI Summary
Dame Judi Dench is to have London's Shaftesbury theatre renamed after her in recognition of her 'unparalleled contribution to British theatre and the performing arts'. The renaming, set to take place in February 2027, makes her only the second non-royal woman to be honoured in such a way.

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 in celebration of the actor’s “unparalleled contribution to British theatre and the performing arts”.

The Renaming of Shaftesbury Theatre

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 theatre in London and is the only West End location with a dome that opens.

The Significance of the Renaming

  • The Shaftesbury theatre was originally called New Princes theatre, but its name was changed in 1962 to honour the original Shaftesbury theatre, which was destroyed in the Blitz.
  • The renaming will follow a renovation, including restoration of the building’s dome and backstage area.
  • 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 Impact on the Theatre Community

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.”

The Future Outlook

The Shaftesbury renaming is more firmly tied to Dench’s career, with the theatre’s chief executive, Eleanor Lang, saying: “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.” Dench, 91, has been vocal about ageing and has talked about how macular degeneration has affected her career.