The Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End will be renamed the Judi Dench Theatre from February 2027 to honour Dench’s longstanding impact on British theatre and screen. The move coincides with a major refurbishment of the historic venue.

The Shaftesbury Theatre, a Grade II listed building that opened in 1911 as the New Prince’s Theatre, will adopt the name Judi Dench Theatre in 2027. The venue, known for its distinctive steel-frame construction and rare auditorium dome, has been central to London’s theatrical landscape for over a century.

The renaming recognises Dench’s extensive contributions to theatre and screen performance throughout her career. Judi Dench said the change is “truly overwhelming” and noted her enduring connection to the venue and the Taffner family, who have long been associated with the theatre.

The venue’s chairman, Donald Taffner Jnr, emphasised Dench’s close relationship with the theatre and his family, highlighting her involvement with the Theatre of Comedy and the ITV series As Time Goes By. He recalled how Dench and her late husband Michael Bennett enjoyed personal and professional ties with the Taffners in both London and New York.

Alongside the renaming, the Shaftesbury is undergoing a refurbishment programme that includes restoration of the auditorium dome, new decorations inspired by the original designs, and improvements to backstage facilities. The theatre remains open throughout the work, though with reduced audience capacity.

The theatre was renamed the Shaftesbury in 1962 after the original Shaftesbury Theatre was destroyed during the Blitz. This latest change cements its connection to a figure emblematic of British acting excellence and theatre heritage.

Renaming theatres to honour iconic performers reflects a broader trend in the cultural sector to formally recognise individual contributions to the arts and the community they serve.