Legendary actresses Dame Judi Dench, 89, and Dame Sian Phillips, 91, to take on new roles - as the first female members of The Garrick Club By Meg Byrom and Alesia Fiddler Published: 01:06 BST, 2 July 2024 | Updated: 01:43 BST, 2 July 2024 e-mail View comments They are two distinguished actresses, but now Dame Judi Dench and Dame Sian Phillips will take on new roles – as the first ever female members of The Garrick Club. The pair will be the first women to join the private members' club in its 193-year-old history, after 60 per cent of members voted in May to admit women for the first time. The club, which was founded in 1831, faced mounting pressure from members to reform, with women previously only being allowed to enter if they were invited and accompanied by a man.
Notable members include Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden , the Head of the Civil Service Simon Case and King Charles . Dame Judi Dench, 89, pictured at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May earlier this year Dame Sian Phillips, 91, pictured at The Novello Theatre for the press night of Betty Blue Eyes Dame Judi, 89, and Dame Sian, 91, were granted fast-tracked memberships last night, joining other prominent actors such as Brian Cox and Benedict Cumberbatch . Their memberships came after a legal analysis of the club's rulebook by David Pannick KC and decided there was no reason to exclude women from joining, The Guardian reported.
Other nominees included former home secretary Amber Rudd, classics editor Mary B.