Dame Judi Dench is set to be named as the first female member of the Garrick Club just days after the 193-year-old institution voted to allow women to join. The club’s general committee is due to convene on Friday evening to decide whether to approve the membership of the 89-year-old British actress. If confirmed, Dame Judi will become the first ever woman to join the club, which is based in Covent Garden in central London. The Garrick this week voted to allow female members, who were previously only allowed to enter if invited and accompanied by a man. The West End club was founded in 1831 as a place for actors and patrons of the arts to meet. It was named after the 18th century actor and playwright David Garrick. Dame Judi’s husband, the Shakespearean actor Michael Williams, is believed to have been a member of the Garrick before his death in 2001 and she often visited the club as his guest. There is an oil portrait of the actress by Scottish artist Jennifer McRae hanging in the club. However, Dame Judi was not named among a list of seven prominent women who were put forward as prospective members by...