Judi Dench is writing a new book about her love of William Shakespeare.

The book comprises a series of candid conversations with her friend Brendan O’Hea, a fellow Shakespearean actor and director.

As well as the award-winning actress’s musings, the book will feature Dench’s own artwork.

The cover of the book, titled The Man Who Pays the Rent, features Dench’s sketch of a tree with a love letter in its branches, inspired by Orlando hanging poems on trees in As You Like It.

It will be published in the UK on 26th October, and in the US on 23 April 2024.

The authors will be on tour in Bristol, London, Salford, Chichester and Stratford-upon-Avon from 21st Oct. Tickets: www.fane.co.uk/judi-shakespeare.