Dame Judi Dench, Gyles Brandreth

Dame Judi Dench will take to the Orange Tree stage for the first of a new series of talks with our most distinguished actors about people they’ve worked with, admired and learned from. A celebration of British theatre’s history and its especially collaborative nature, it will be a unrivalled opportunity to see great artists talk up-close in the Orange Tree’s unique in the round space, in conversation with OT Ambassador Gyles Brandreth.

As an independent theatre producing all its own work and operating without regular Arts Council funding, they need to raise at least £350,000 each year through fundraising. Proceeds from this event will go towards supporting their wide-ranging programme, including work with 10,000 young people each year.

Gyles Brandreth: 'Judi Dench has been a heroine of mine since I first saw her playing Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s famous production of Romeo and Juliet at the Old Vic in 1960. All these years later, I'm excited to be talking to her about some of her theatrical heroes and heroines.'