Adrian Noble has come in for criticism since taking over as artistic director

Dame Judi wrote to Ms Kempe to agree with her concerns about the proposed changes to the RSC's Stratford-upon-Avon site and the restructuring of the company under the stewardship of artistic director Adrian Noble.

The paper reports Dame Judi wrote: "I applaud your submission to the RSC governors and you have my wholehearted support.

"I am deeply worried about what is happening, as I know are so many people in the profession."

Flexible

Noble, who is directing the West End musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, has come under increasing pressure over his proposals which include introducing shorter contracts and creating three repertory companies.

The RSC's argument is that the company needs to be more flexible and big-name actors will be attracted by shorter contracts.

There are also major concerns about the �100m project to build a new theatre village at the site of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Warwickshire.

Ms Kempe has written to Noble and the RSC governors that concern about the RSC changes "seems to be shared by an overwhelming majority of senior members of the theatrical profession".

The Royal Shakespeare Theatre could be pulled down

The main fears about the rebuilding project at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is the "uncertainty" surrounding it in both artistic and financial terms.

Politicians at the recent Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee also raised doubts that the �100m project may be too much of a financial risk.

But it did say the RSC had made a good argument for the demolition of the current 1930s-built theatre.

The proposal is part of the raft of plans designed to create a "waterfront village theatre" in Stratford.

Plans include:

• Construction of a completely new 1,050 seat Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Creation of new backstage facilities for the Swan Theatre
• Construction of a new auditorium as an extension to the existing The Other Place theatre
• Creation of teaching and support facilities for the new RSC Academy