16/06/2026
BRAVO, Dame Judi!
The Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End is officially changing its name to honour Dame Judi Dench, who has been left “truly overwhelmed” by the news.
It was announced on Tuesday 16 June that the venue will change its name to Judi Dench Theatre in celebration of the 91-year-old’s British Oscar-winning thespian’s contribution to the performing arts. The new name will take effect from February 2027.
The Shaftesbury Theatre said the tribute “will ensure Dame Judi's legacy continues to inspire future generations of performers and audiences alike”, with Chief Executive Eleanor Lang stating: “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.”
Oscar-winning British thespian’s name will be immortalised in lights to ‘ensure legacy continues to inspire future generations’