If you’re someone who finds Shakespeare intimidating, I have a six-episode podcast series (all episodes are less than 25 minutes) that will help familiarize you with the writer, his era, and some of his lesser-known plays. You can listen on Spotify, Apple, or right here on my website.
I was first introduced to Shakespeare in school and it was love at first read! I was immediately drawn to the language, the skill of the meter, the iconic characters. I could not believe that these plays had been passed down through so many generations to little old me. This is going to be a nerdy admission, but I relish the work that needs to be done to dig into and understand the Bard’s language, jokes, and themes. And I believe new interpretations are still possible.
However, it wasn’t until seeing one of his play’s performed that I realized how powerful and universal Shakespeare’s work is. While reading the play with annotations is incredibly helpful, creating understanding in terminology and connections between characters, watching Shakespeare brought to life on stage is a kind of magic.
I first experienced this on a class trip to see Twelfth Night, the play we studied in grade nine. It was much funnier performed: Malvolio in his yellow stockings is a scene that has stayed with me! Since then, I have seen amazing Shakespeare performances in many places, from Stratford, Ontario, to The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, and the Globe Theater in London, UK. As an interesting aside: a Brit friend and I have debated whether Shakespeare sounds different with the English accent or not!
Because of this love for the Bard, I was thrilled to receive Dame Judi Dench’s 2024 book Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Bills for Christmas. Dench has nearly 60 years of experience performing Shakespeare. The format of this book is based on a series of chats between Dench and Brendan O’Hea, theater director and an associate artist at Shakespeare’s Globe and long-time friend of the actress.
Dench is quick witted, artistic, opinionated and even naughty in her commentary. Although throughout she makes it is clear that this is her personal experience preforming Shakespeare, her insights provide greater depth to not only her artistry but the plays as well. The book is divided by plays with Dench reflecting on the roles she performed in each one (often quoting lines from memory) and some short sections on themes like audience, critics, and rehearsals.
From anecdotes about hilarious shenanigans back stage, to memories with other well-known actors (like Anthony Hopkins and Benedict Cumberbatch), to having producers bang out the iambic pentameter for her to follow, I often found myself laughing out loud while also learning new things about Shakespeare and his works—the best kind of education!
It is worth saying that familiarity with the plays will enrich the reading of this book. I was certainly more engaged with the plays I have read, but don’t let that deter you! Through the exchange between Dench and O’Hea readers are provided plot points to follow.
And if I still haven’t sold how this book feels like a warm hug, I highly recommend watching this short clip of Dench reciting a Shakespearean sonnet to get you in the mood. Not only does it show how funny she is, but also demonstrates her intimate familiarity with Shakespeare’s language. Her meter so crystal clear it is, honestly, breathtaking!
Finishing this book left me a little bereft. I would genuinely like to have a pint with Dench or, at least, have had the opportunity to see her perform on stage. She is now 90 and I can’t help but think her reflections in this book are the start of a goodbye. But the gift in Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Bills is that the next time I have tickets to see a Shakespeare play I intend to re-read Dench’s observations to enrich the experience.
And what a legacy that is.