Iconic West End theatre to be renamed after Judi Dench in honour of actress’s legacy

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Today, the remarkable 70-year acting career of Dame Judi Dench is being celebrated, ensuring her work will be remembered for generations to come.

As a huge theatre fan, I was so thrilled to hear the news! The Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End is going to be renamed the Judi Dench Theatre in February 2027. It’s a wonderful way to honor everything Judi Dench has done for British theatre – she truly deserves it!

When I heard the news, Dame Judi Dench’s reaction really touched me. She described it as ‘truly overwhelming,’ and it was so clear how much the theatre means to her – she said it’s always held a special place in her heart, and you could just feel that connection.

The Academy Award-winning actress has a history with the theatre because she co-founded a performance group called the Theatre of Comedy in the 1980s, and that group actually owned a portion of the building.

I’ve always known she was connected to the people behind the scenes, and it makes total sense now! The Taffner family, who own the theatre, actually produced one of my favorite shows of hers, As Time Goes By. It’s a small world, and it explains a lot about how she got her start and the support she’s received.

Donald Taffner Jr., Chairman, shared that Dame Judi has been a long-time friend of everyone at DLT, especially due to her work on ‘As Time Goes By.’ They deeply appreciate her taking the time to be part of the show despite her demanding schedule.

We fondly remember Judi’s time at the Shaftesbury, from the gatherings with the Theatre of Comedy group to when her husband appeared in several of their shows.

My parents loved spending time with Judi and Michael, both when they were in New York and London. We’re thrilled to honor her incredible talent and all she’s done for so many by renaming our theatre in her name.

As a huge fan of both theatre and film, I was thrilled to hear the news! The Shaftesbury Theatre is going to be renamed after Dame Judi Dench – what an amazing tribute! It’s so fitting; she’s not only been a part of the theatre’s story but truly represents everything iconic about British acting on stage and screen. It feels like a wonderful way to celebrate her incredible career.

West End theatres often overlook recognizing remarkable women, which is why we’re thrilled to honor her with a permanent display of her name on our building.

As a huge fan of Judi Dench, I know she’s practically a fixture at the Shaftesbury Theatre! She really loves performing live – it’s amazing to see someone with her talent move so effortlessly between classic Shakespeare and full-on musical numbers. She’s a true stage legend.

She continued by saying that she’s had a long-standing connection with both the Theatre of Comedy and the Taffner family, and she was deeply moved and honored that the theater would be renamed after her.

Performing live on stage remains incredibly valuable for both sharing stories and providing entertainment – it’s been my goal throughout my career.

The Shaftesbury Theatre, a historic landmark built in 1911, is known for being the first theatre in London’s West End constructed with a steel frame. Originally called the New Prince’s Theatre, it’s also unique as the only London theatre featuring a dome that can actually open.

The theatre became known as Shaftesbury Theatre in 1962 after the original Shaftesbury Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue was ruined during World War II.

The venue is currently showing the musical Avenue Q until early 2027.

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Authors

Olivia Garrett

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2026-06-16 17:05