Taking a curtain call with a live snake in her wig...

Cavorting naked through the countryside painted green...

Acting opposite a child with a pumpkin on his head...

These are just a few of the things Dame Judi Dench has done in the name of Shakespeare.

For the very first time, Judi opens up about every Shakespearean role she has played throughout her seven-decade career, from Lady Macbeth and Titania to Ophelia and Cleopatra.

Here she reveals her behind the scenes secrets; inviting us to share in her triumphs, disasters, and backstage shenanigans, all brightened by her mischievous sense of humour and striking honesty.

Witty, provocative and inspiring, this is ultimately Judi's love letter to Shakespeare, or rather, The Man Who Pays The Rent.

A double bill of films set in India. Comedy-drama 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' (2011) follows the experiences of a group of elderly Brits who arrive to take up residence in a newly-opened retirement home in Bangalore, India. Despite its glossy publicity campaign, the Marigold turns out to be rather different from the refurbished luxury hotel advertised in the brochures. However, it soon begins to reveal some unexpected charms of its own. Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Tom Wilkinson and Maggie Smith star.

'Slumdog Millionaire' (2008), the rags-to-possible riches tale, was the winner of eight Oscars at the 2009 Academy Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. Jamal Malik (Patel) is an 18-year-old street kid from the slums of Mumbai. So what is he doing appearing on the Indian version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'? How can a young man from his background of poverty have acquired the knowledge to be only one correct answer away from winning 20 million rupees? With only one more question to be asked, however, the dream turns to nightmare. As the hooter sounds to signal the end of the show, Jamal is arrested and accused of cheating. No one can believe that he could really know all of the answers he has given. As Jamal tells the story of his life to the police, the reasons for his success begin to appear. Will Jamal be freed to hear the final question and, if so, will he know the answer?

Tim Burton directs this fantasy adventure based on the bestselling book by Ransom Riggs. When Jacob Portman (Asa Butterfield)'s grandfather dies, he leaves him clues to a mysterious place called Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob determines to discover the story behind this strange establishment and the unusual Miss Peregrine (Eva Green), he finds that the peculiar children in question are so-called because they have extraordinary powers and it is his destiny to protect them from an evil force intent on destroying them. The all-star cast includes Judi Dench, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris O'Dowd and Rupert Everett.

Collection of four children's animated features. In 'Home On the Range' (2004), when an eviction notice goes up at the Little Piece of Heaven family-run dairy farm, notorious yodelling outlaw cattle rustler Alameda Slim (voice of Randy Quaid) sees his big chance to claim it for himself. However, he hasn't counted on three resourceful dairy cows, old-timer Mrs Calloway (Judi Dench), tough-talking Maggie (Roseanne Barr) and gentle Grace (Jennifer Tilly), who enlist the help of the other farm animals to track down Slim and use the ransom on his head to save their beloved farm. But the bovine trio have another enemy to contend with - ruthless bounty hunter Rico (Charles Dennis) is also after the reward for capturing Slim. 'G-Force' (2009) follows a team of secret agent guinea pigs who have been trained in espionage techniques and armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment in order to take on a covert mission for the US government. The team, known by code name 'G-Force', includes ambitious squad leader Darwin (Sam Rockwell), fearless weapons expert Blaster (Tracy Morgan) and lithe martial arts genius Juarez (Penélope Cruz). Also along for the ride is Darwin's housefly sidekick Mooch and computer whiz Speckles (Nicolas Cage), a star-nosed mole. Can the gang prevent an evil billionaire from taking over the world with a dastardly plan involving household appliances? In 'The Wild' (2006) an odd assortment of animals from the New York Zoo discover what a jungle the city can be when one of their own is mistakenly shipped to the wild. When an adolescent lion (Greg Cipes) is accidentally shipped from the zoo to Africa, his pals, including Samson the lion (Kiefer Sutherland), Benny the squirrel (James Belushi), Bridget the giraffe (Janeane Garofalo), Larry the anaconda (Richard Kind), Kazar the wildebeest (William Shatner) and Nigel the koala bear (Eddie Izzard), must put aside their differences to help bring him back. In 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' (2008), when pampered Beverly Hills chihuahua Chloe (Drew Barrymore) gets lost while holidaying in Mexico, she is forced to rely on the kindness of various dogs she befriends as she tries to get home before she is captured by a villainous dognapper. Also in pursuit of Chloe is male chihuahua Papi (George Lopez), who is in love with her, and evil Doberman Diablo (Edward James Olmos), who has his eye on her valuable diamond collar.

Double bill of films set in India. In 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), John Madden directs an all-star cast of Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton, Ronald Pickup and Tom Wilkinson as a group of mature Brits who travel to India looking for a sunnier climate in which to retire. Despite its glossy publicity campaign, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful turns out to be rather different from the refurbished luxury hotel advertised in the brochures. However, as the previously lonely people grow closer, the hotel soon begins to reveal some unexpected charms of its own. 'Life of Pi' (2012) is an Academy Award-winning fantasy adventure based on Yann Martel's Booker Prize-winning novel. Suraj Sharma stars as Pi Patel, a 16-year-old zookeeper's son from Pondicherry who finds himself stranded on a small boat in the Pacific Ocean in the company of a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Bengal tiger following the shipwreck of the freighter on which he and his family were sailing for Canada. Over the course of several months Pi manages to survive on the meagre supplies of food and water he finds on the boat, and also takes up fishing, while in his half-delirious state he muses on various aspects of animal behaviour, religion and the meaning of life.

Taking a curtain call with a live snake in her wig; being painted green and cavorting naked through the Warwickshire countryside; acting opposite a child with a pumpkin on his head... these are just a few things Dame Judi Dench has done in the name of Shakespeare. In this book, Judi tells us about every Shakespearean role she's played throughout her career. Written in dialogue with fellow artist Brendan O'Hea, Judi guides us through Shakespeare's plays with incisive clarity, reveals the secrets behind her rehearsal process and invites us to share in her triumphs, disasters and backstage shenanigans. As Judi herself says 'Shakespeare is an international language, a beacon for humanity, and a bridge across cultures. Everything you have felt or are yet to feel is all in there in his plays.'

A collection of six award-winning British short films.

Anonymous
In Elizabethan England, political intrigue abounds as the Tudors and the Cecils battle it out over the succession of Queen Elizabeth I (Joely Richardson/Vanessa Redgrave), and the Essex Rebellion mobilises against her. Enter the dashing and wildly talented Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford (Jamie Campbell Bower/Rhys Ifans), who not only fathers an illegitimate son in a clandestine incestuous relationship with Queen Elizabeth, but is also the secret author of the plays labeled with the name of William Shakespeare (Rafe Spall).

Shakespeare in Love
Young Will Shakespeare is the up-and-coming playwright of the time but has been disastrously struck by the bane of the writer's life - writer's block. His comedy "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter" is not going anywhere and the playhouse is under threat of closure. What Will needs is a muse - and she appears in the form of the beautiful (and betrothed) Lady Viola. The path of true love doesn't run smooth for Will, however - Viola is engaged to be married to the insufferable Lord Wessex at the command of Queen Elizabeth. The joys and tragedy of his own life soon find their way onto the page in a moving, witty and spellbinding tale.

Pierce Brosnan makes his 007 debut, replacing Timothy Dalton as Britain's most celebrated secret agent. On his first post-Cold War mission, Bond is sent to blow up a Soviet chemical weapons factory with agent 006 (Sean Bean). Nine years later, Bond becomes involved in the break-up of the Soviet Union, and soon finds himself involved with a blitzkrieg of stolen helicopters, beautiful female assassins, Russian Mafiosi and the race for a vital piece of weaponry - the credit-card sized 'GoldenEye'.

21st film in the 007 Franchise introduces a new 007 and goes back to its roots. Daniel Craig stars as the latest incarnation of James Bond, special agent and international man of mystery and intrigue. The first Bond film in many years to be based on one of the original Ian Fleming books, Casino Royale is a quieter, subtler, more brooding breed of action film, which is not to say there's any less blowings up, dirty tricks, sexy women or chase sequences. Bond is in Montenegro at a highly exclusive casino where Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) a moneyman for an international terrorist group, is raising funds for their misdeeds through high-stakes gambling. 007 must infiltrate the group and ultimately defeat the rogue player, both on and off the tables.

Daniel Craig returns as James Bond 007 in the globe-trotting franchise for which the term action movie was invented. After being betrayed by Vesper in Casino Royale, Bond (Craig) turns his sights on those who controlled her. Interrogating Mr White (Jesper Christensen), Bond discovers that the shadowy organisation responsible for blackmailing Vesper is a lot more powerful and dangerous than he ever imagined. Tracing a link to Hawaii, Bond soon crosses paths with Ukrainian beauty Camille (Olga Kurylenko) who leads him to megalomaniacal businessman Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), head of the organisation known simply as Quantum. Wishing to control one of the world's natural resources, Greene's organisation has a finger in every government agency worldwide, and it falls to Bond to keep one step ahead of his friends, and enemies, to stop Greene holding the world to ransom.

When Bond's latest assignment goes gravely wrong and agents around the world are exposed, MI6 is attacked forcing M to relocate the agency.

These events cause her authority and position to be challenged by Mallory, the new Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. With MI6 now compromised from both inside and out, M is left with one ally she can trust: Bond.

007 takes to the shadows - aided only by field agent Eve - following a trail to the mysterious Silva, whose lethal and hidden motives have yet to reveal themselves.

Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth and demise.

When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love or if she’s a ruthless con artist using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth.

When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

Tim Burton directs this fantasy adventure based on the bestselling book by Ransom Riggs. When Jacob Portman (Asa Butterfield)'s grandfather dies, he leaves him clues to a mysterious place called Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob determines to discover the story behind this strange establishment and the unusual Miss Peregrine (Eva Green), he finds that the peculiar children in question are so-called because they have extraordinary powers and it is his destiny to protect them from an evil force intent on destroying them. The all-star cast includes Judi Dench, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris O'Dowd and Rupert Everett.

Falling pregnant as a teenager in 1952, Philomena Lee was sent to a convent to be looked after as a "fallen woman".

When only a toddler, her baby was put up for adoption by nuns and whisked away to America and Philomena spent the next fifty years searching in vain until she met Martin Sixsmith, a journalist as cynical as Philomena was trusting.

Together they set off on a hilarious and uplifting journey that would change their lives forever.

The SUNDAY TIMES bestselling memoir of Britain's best-loved actress, Dame Judi Dench. 'She's been one of our favourite actresses for five decades, and now ...AND FURTHERMORE gives an insight into her sensational career and how she coped after losing her husband to cancer in 2001' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING 'Vivid and engaging' WOMAN & HOME 'The most popular as well as the greatest actress of her age' THE LADY From the moment Judi Dench appeared as a teenager in the York Mystery Plays it was clear that acting would be her career. Trained at London's Central School of Speech and Drama it was her performance in her twenties as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's memorable Old Vic production that turned her into a star. In the theatre since she has played every classic role from Titania to Cleopatra. She first became a household name via television, thanks initially to a sitcom, A FINE ROMANCE, in which she played alongside the actor Michael Williams, whom she married in 1971. She has since made nine series of another sitcom, AS TIME GOES BY (with Geoffrey Palmer), as well as plays and classic serials such as CRANFORD. In the cinema her films have ranged from LADIES IN LAVENDER (opposite Maggie Smith) through NOTES ON A SCANDAL with Cate Blanchett to SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, in which she played Queen Elizabeth, a role which gained her a Hollywood Oscar. But it is her role as 'M' in seven James Bond films that has gained her worldwide recognition. This book is, however, much more than a career record. Her marriage to Michael Williams, their daughter, and her impish sense of humour contribute vividly to her account of more than half a century as Britain's best-loved actress.

George Bernard Shaw is one of the most famous and celebrated English playwrights and this new collection brings together the very best of his witty and entertaining comedies in one volume; Pygmalion, Major Barbara and Androcles and the Lion.

Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition has a preface by Oscar-winning actress Judi Dench.

Pygmalion was first performed in 1914 and was an instant hit which then inspired the hit musical and award winning film, My Fair Lady. It tells the story of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins, who tries to elevate a feisty flower girl out of her working-class roots and into high society. In Major Barbara, idealistic Barbara is a major in the Salvation Army, at odds with her millionaire father as they war over the best route to salvation. Androcles and the Lion is a clever retelling of the Bible story about a gentle Christian who pulls a thorn from a lion’s paw. All three plays are not only wonderfully amusing, they also showcase Shaw's intense concerns about poverty, class and inequality.

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

We’re living longer – let’s live better! Getting older should be something to enjoy and celebrate. And it can be. Research shows that we can make a big difference to how well we age. From staying active to connecting with others, this uplifting book shares the secrets to ageing well in eight steps, to help keep you healthy and happy. Each step has easy-to-follow tips, alongside inspiring words both ancient and modern… and more! Whether you choose to follow some of the advice or all, this is the perfect guide for living a more fulfilled, healthy and joyful life.

In 1975, David Shepherd wrote The Man Who Loves Giants - an autobiography. Even though he was only forty-four, he had already achieved more than most could have in three lifetimes. In the intervening years, until his death in 2017, he painted a huge variety of subjects; founded the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation; renovated and restored everything from steam engines to dolls' houses; and appeared on both radio and television. 'Being the extrovert I am,' he once said, 'I like things large and exciting ... especially elephants ...' However, this enthusiasm wasn't restricted to animals; it extended to his love and ownership of several full-sized steam engines, including locomotive number 92203, otherwise known as Black Prince. David's friends ranged from showbiz celebrities to well-known sportsmen and women; and British and European royalty to internationally influential politicians and presidents. He was awarded the Order of the Golden Ark by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands for his services to conservation in Zambia, and the Order of Distinguished Service, First Class, by President Kaunda. Her Majesty The Queen presented David with the OBE and CBE. David's first gallery successes were not of the African wildlife for which he is now best known. London scenes, planes, boats and trains have long featured in his portfolio - as do English landscapes and bygone rural life. Since David's autobiography, no book has dealt so comprehensively with his life, painting, and conservation work as this biography by J. C. Jeremy Hobson, professional author and David's youngest son-in-law. With access to family archives and photographs, private diaries and reminiscences, this is a unique portrait of a remarkable man.

In The Actor Speaks, Patsy Rodenburg takes actors and actresses, both professional and beginners, through a complete voice workshop. She touches on every aspect of performance work that involves the voice and sorts through the kinds of vexing problems every performer faces onstage: breath and relaxation; vocal range and power; communication with other actors; singing and acting simultaneously; working on different sized stages and in both large and small auditoriums; approaching the vocal demands of different kinds of scripts. This is the final word on the actor's voice and it's destined to become the classic work on the subject for some time to come.

Trees and woods offer great potential for rebuilding our wider relationship with nature, reinforcing local identity and sustaining wildlife. We need more trees and woods in our lives, to lock up carbon, to mitigate flooding, to help shade our towns and cities and bring shelter, wildlife and beauty to places. Living with Trees is a cornucopia of practical information, good examples and new ideas that will inspire, guide and encourage people to reconnect with the trees and woods in their community, so we can all discover how to value, celebrate and protect our arboreal neighbours.

"I can hardly believe that it is more than half a century since I first stepped on to the stage of the Old Vic Theatre and into a way of life that has brought me the most rewarding professional relationships and friendships. I cannot imagine now ever doing anything else with my life except acting..." - Judi Dench"

From London's glittering West End to Broadway's bright lights, from her Academy Award-winning role as Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love to "M" in the James Bond films, Judi Dench has treated audiences to some of the greatest performances of our time. She made her professional acting debut in 1957 with England's Old Vic theatre company playing Ophelia in Hamlet, Katherine in Henry V (her New York debut), and then, Juliet. In 1961, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company playing Anya in The Cherry Orchard with John Gielgud and Peggy Ashcroft. In 1968, she went beyond the classical stage to become a sensation as Sally Bowles in Cabaret, adding musical comedy to her repertoire. Over the years, Dench has given indelible performances in the classics as well as some of the greatest plays and musicals of the twentieth century including Noel Coward's Hay Fever, Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, Kaufman and Hart's The Royal Family and David Hare's Amy's View (for which she won the Tony Award). Recently, she made a triumphant return to A Midsummer Night's Dream as Titania, a role she first played in 1962, now played as a theatre-besotted Queen Elizabeth I. Her film career has been filled with unforgettable performances of some unforgettable women: Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown, the terrifying schoolteacher Barbara Covett in Notes on a Scandal and the writer Iris Murdoch in Iris. And, for the BBC, Dench created another unforgettable woman when she brought her great comic timing and deeply felt emotions to the role of Jean Pargetter in the long-running BBC series As Time Goes By.

And Furthermore is, however, more than the story of a great actress's career. It is also the story of Judi Dench's life: her early days as a child in a family that was in love with the theatre; her marriage to actor Michael Williams; the joy she takes in her daughter, the actress Finty Williams, and her grandson, Sammy. Filled with Dench's impish sense of humor, diamond-sharp intelligence and photos from her personal archives, And Furthermore is the book every fan of the great Judi Dench will cherish.