Dame Judi Dench is to make her BBC Proms debut for Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday — performing one of his most famous songs.

Reprise: Dame Judi Dench in A Little Night Music in 1995. She will sing Send In The Clowns again at Saturday’s Prom

She will sing Send In The Clowns, from A Little Night Music, 15 years after being praised for her performance in the show at the National Theatre.

Shirley Bassey, Barbra Streisand and Elizabeth Taylor have all played the part, but on hearing Dame Judi, Sondheim reportedly told her: “It's yours now.” He will be attending what will be his first Prom, as well as the first dedicated to his music.

Genius: Stephen Sondheim will be at the Albert Hall to hear songs from works such as Into The Woods

“Singing at the Proms is not something I ever imagined I would do and it's a hugely exciting, if slightly daunting, prospect,” said Dame Judi.

“I believe Stephen Sondheim is a true genius. His impact on musical theatre can never be over-stated and I'm delighted to be part of his 80th birthday celebrations.”

When she played Desirée Armfeldt in A Little Night Music, one critic said: “Great singers have sung Send In The Clowns. Yet none has given either the role, or Sondheim's enduring anthem to disappointment, quite the edge of irony, wit or sudden vulnerability which Dame Judi Dench brings to both.” Also in the line-up at the Albert Hall on Saturday will be Bryn Terfel, Simon Russell Beale, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman and Jenna Russell.

Great outdoors: songs from Sunday In The Park With George will also be showcased

They will perform numbers from shows such as Follies, Sunday In The Park With George, Into The Woods, Company and Sweeney Todd. The rich orchestrations have often been cut back for theatre productions. But conductor David Charles Abell and the BBC Con-cert Orchestra have restored them.

Sondheim's work has often been regarded as “difficult”. But it has reached huge new audiences in London through award-winning shows such as Sunday In The Park and Night Music at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and Company at the Donmar.

Sondheim At 80 will be the first Prom to be signed for deaf concert-goers. It starts on BBC Radio 3 at 7.30pm and BBC2 at 8pm.