by Kristen B.

If you have ever wanted an in-depth, behind the scenes look at Dame Judi Dench’s formative years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, have I got a book for you! If you haven’t but have a fondness for the Bard, you still want to get your hands on this book. And if you simply love to listen in on two friends trading stories from their past and arguing over details, this one is for you, too – it’s that much fun!

Dame Judi Dench and her good friend Brendan O’Hea engage in a series of conversations in Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent, during which they discuss Shakespeare and acting, and – in all honesty – just dish about various productions. You can almost hear the teacups in the background. It’s fascinating to eavesdrop on them quarreling about interpretation or reminiscing about pranks and misdeeds. They cover some of the best-known plays, such as Twelfth Night, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet, but they also spend time with Coriolanus, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and The Winter’s Tale. I was simply amazed by how much of each play Judi Dench can apparently recite from memory – entire sequences, from multiple parts.

I assume the physical book is lovely, but the audiobook is pure gold. Barbara Flynn provides Dame Judi’s voice, and you would think that you’re listening to a younger version of the great actress (which you essentially are). She talks about her favorite parts, her views for the motivation of various characters, how Shakespeare manipulates the audience, and more details about stagecraft. She also tells stories about being mostly naked and painted green, sharing rooms, and having a ton of fun with other (now revered) fellow actors.

As she says, ““Everything you have felt or are yet to feel is all in there in his plays: oppression, ambition, loneliness, remorse, everything….Shakespeare has examined every single emotion….His writing has the capacity to make us feel less alone.” This book helped me remember exactly that! I laughed, I learned, and I was gloriously entertained.

Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench and Brendan O’Hea is available in print, e-book, and e-audiobook.

Kristen B. is a devoted bookworm lucky enough to work as the graphic designer for HCLS. She likes to read, stitch, dance, and watch baseball (but not all at the same time).