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In "Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent" (Macmillan), the acclaimed actress Judi Dench shares conversations with friend and actor Brendan O'Hea about the unique relationship she has with the Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Read an excerpt below.
"Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent"
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You've had a very long association with Stratford-upon-Avon. When did you first visit?
Back in 1953, at the age of eighteen, my parents brought me to see Michael Redgrave portray King Lear. It was a transformative experience for me. Prior to that moment, my aspirations were centered around becoming a theatre designer. However, upon witnessing Robert Colquhoun's set for Lear, I realized that my own creativity could never match up. The set was strikingly minimal yet perfect – resembling a giant poppadom with a prominent rock at its center. This rock could rotate to reveal the throne, a bed, or a cave seamlessly. There was no need for elaborate scene changes; everything was right there, like a magical box waiting to be opened.
After the show, we spent the night in Stratford. The next afternoon, my parents and I sat opposite the theatre by the river. It was summertime, and the open doors and windows of the theatre allowed us to hear the matinee through the tannoy. We observed the actors rushing up and down the stairs to their dressing rooms. Little did I anticipate that within a decade, I would grace that very stage as Titania.
Actors often say that a stint in Stratford is either the end or the beginning of a relationship. Do you find this to be true?
From personal experience, I can affirm that Stratford is indeed a profoundly romantic place, with its own unique atmosphere. Especially in the early days, when transportation connections were scarce, it felt isolated. All the actors were far from home, toiling hard on stage and unwinding just as vigorously off-stage.
Where did you reside during your time there?
In the winding streets of Scholar's Lane, Chapel Lane, and beyond, I crossed paths with Mikey (Michael Williams), and our journey led us to Charlecote, just outside Stratford. Years later, we decided to make a home there, a dream I had nurtured for a community living, in line with Quaker principles. Inviting our widowed mother and Mikey's parents to join us was a decision they eagerly embraced, forming a harmonious household.
One evening, as Mikey and I drove back from the theatre along Hampton Lucy Lane, we encountered a lost young deer on the road. With gentle coaxing, we guided it back to Charlecote Park. However, our good deed raised suspicions, and the next morning, the police arrived at our door, mistaking our intentions for theft. It was a curious parallel to the past, where Shakespeare himself was caught poaching in the same vicinity. Thankfully, after clarifying our actions, we were let off the hook.
Charlecote remains a place of fond memories for me. A decade of residency, watching Fint (Judi's daughter Finty Williams) grow up there, and laying Michael to rest in the church grounds, bind me to that cherished abode.
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"Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent"
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"Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent" is a captivating book co-authored by Judi Dench and Brendan O'Hea. This book is available in Hardcover, eBook, and Audio formats, offering readers multiple ways to enjoy the content.
