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Dame Judi Dench will make her BBC Proms debut this Saturday (31 July) at a concert devoted to the Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, who is celebrating his 80th Birthday year. The Oscar winning actress will sing ‘Send In The Clowns’ from ‘A Little Night Music’. 

Commenting on the upcoming performance, Dame Judi said “Singing at the Proms is not something I ever imaged I would do and it’s a hugely exciting - if slightly daunting - prospect. I believe Stephen Sondheim is a true genius. His impact on musical theatre can never be overstated and I'm delighted to be part of his 80th birthday celebrations at the BBC Proms.”

Sondheim will attend this Saturday's concert at the Royal Albert Hall, which will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 at 7:30pm and later on BBC Two at 8pm. On hearing Dame Judi's performance of ‘Send In The Clowns’ at the National Theatre in 1995, Sondheim is said to have told the acclaimed actress: "It's yours now."

Other artists in the line-up include Bryn Terfel, Simon Russell Beale, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Caroline O'Connor, Julian Ovenden and Jenna Russell. Songs will be performed from ‘Follies’, ‘Sunday In The Park With Georg’e, ‘Into The Woods’, ‘The Frogs’, ‘Company’, ‘A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum’ and ‘Sweeney Todd’.