Dame Judi Dench is to have a West End theatre renamed after her, to celebrate her "unparalleled contribution" to British theatre and the performing arts.
The Shaftesbury theatre will be known as the Judi Dench theatre from February 2027, honouring her long-standing links with the venue.
Dame Judi has had a career spanning seven decades, and is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished actresses of her generation.
She was a founding member of the Theatre of Comedy, a collective that staged productions at the Shaftesbury in the 1980s and 90s.
Dame Judi said: “The Shaftesbury theatre has always held a special place in my heart. My relationship to the Theatre of Comedy and to the Taffner family goes back many years, and to have this beautiful theatre renamed after me is truly overwhelming.
“Live theatre continues to be so important as a way of telling stories and entertaining audiences, something I have aimed to do all my working life.”
The renaming will take place following a renovation, including the restoration of the venue’s iconic dome as well as its backstage area.
Dame Judi will become only the second non-royal woman to be honoured by a theatre, after Andrew Lloyd Webber’s New London theatre, which was renamed after Cats choreographer Gillian Lynne in 2018.
The Shaftesbury’s chief executive Eleanor Lang said: "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."
The theatre's chairman Donald Taffner Jnr added: "We have such fond memories of Judi at the Shaftesbury.
"We are therefore delighted to recognise her extraordinary talent and extensive contribution to many in the renaming of our theatre."
