Theatre Reviews & Features 
From its early golden period under the leadership of Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic theatre to its now iconic building in the heart of London, the National Theatre has been home to Britain’s finest theatrical talent, premiering works by renowned writers such as Harold Pinter, Peter Shaffer, Tom Stoppard, Alan Bennett and David Hare, and staging celebrated performances by Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Judi Dench, Michael Gambon and the rising stars of today.
The cast for the celebration includes Olivier Award winner Simon Russell Beale, Tony and Olivier Award winner Frances de la Tour, Tony and Academy Award winner Judi Dench, Tony Award winner and Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes, Olivier Award winner Michael Gambon, Tony and Olivier Award winner Derek Jacobi, Olivier Award winner Alex Jennings, Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear, Olivier Award winner Adrian Lester, BAFTA award winner Anna Maxwell Martin, Olivier Award winner Andrew Scott, Academy, Tony & Olivier Award winner Maggie Smith, Olivier Award nominee Penelope Wilton, with more to be announced.
The next National Theatre Live broadcast will be the premiere of Nicholas Hytner’s acclaimed National Theatre production of Shakespeare’s Othello, with Adrian Lester in the title role and Rory Kinnear as Iago, broadcast to cinemas and performing arts venues around the world from the National’s Olivier Theatre on September 26, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities). Othello, newly married to Desdemona who is half his age, is appointed leader of a military operation to defend Cyprus from the Turks. Iago, his ensign, passed over for promotion in favour of young Cassio, persuades Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. The Times of London called the production “A breathtaking show of emotional firepower. Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear are superb.” And, The Telegraph said Othello is “Witty, agile, lucid and deeply felt. A gripping production of a tragedy which is also an intensely painful psychological thriller.” CLICK HERE to view the Othello trailer.
Encore dates and cinema locations are added frequently. For listings and to learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.ntlive.com.
National Theatre Live is an initiative by the National Theatre to broadcast live performances onto cinema screens around the world.Since its first season, which began in June 2009 with the acclaimed production of Phédre starring Helen Mirren, over 1.75 million people have now experienced the work of National Theatre Live in cinemas worldwide. In addition to the recent record-breaking broadcast of The Audience starring Helen Mirren as The Queen (winner of two 2013 Olivier Awards, including the Best Actress award for Mirren), recent broadcasts have included the theatrical adaptation of Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (winner of seven 2013 Olivier Awards, including Master Card Best New Play); Steven Beresford’s acclaimed new comedy The Last of the Haussmans; a new production of Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens starring Simon Russell Beale in the title role; Arthur Wing Pinero’s The Magistrate starring John Lithgow in the title role; Alan Bennett’s new comedy People with Frances de la Tour; and James Graham’s acclaimed new play This House.
ALL UPCOMING BROADCASTS
As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations this autumn, National Theatre Live will present encore screenings of some of the National’s most acclaimed recent productions: Hamlet with Rory Kinnear on 22 October; Frankenstein by Nick Dear, based on the novel by Mary Shelley, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller, from 31 October; and The Habit of Art by Alan Bennett with Alex Jennings and the late Richard Griffiths, on 7 November.
Shakespeare’s OTHELLO
The National Theatre’s production, directed by Nicholas Hytner
Live Broadcast: September 26, 2013(with many encore dates in U.S. cities)
Shakespeare’s MACBETH
The Manchester International Festival production, directed by Rob Ashford & Kenneth Branagh
“Captured Live” Broadcast: October 17, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities following the October 17 re-broadcast)
Kenneth Branagh returns to the stage for his first Shakespearean role in over a decade, taking the title role in Manchester International Festival’s production of Macbeth, with Alex Kingston (“Dr. Who,” “ER”) as Lady Macbeth. Directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh, this tragic tale of ambition and treachery unfolds within the walls of an intimate deconsecrated Manchester church. Macbethfrom Manchester International Festivalmarks National Theatre Live’s first festival partnership and fourth broadcast from outside the National Theatre. This production of Macbeth was commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival, where it played in July 2013.
NATIONAL THEATRE: 50 YEARS ON STAGE
Directed by Nicholas Hytner
Live Broadcast: November 2, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities)
Shakespeare’s CORIOLANUS
The Donmar Warhouse’s production, directed by Josie Rourke
Live Broadcast: January 30, 2014(with many encore dates in U.S. cities)
National Theatre Live will broadcast the Donmar Warehouse’s production of Coriolanus, Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge, with Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers, War Horse (film), BBC's The Hollow Crown) in the title role and Mark Gatiss (Season's Greetings at the National Theatre, BBC's Sherlock) as Menenius, directed by the Donmar's Artistic Director Josie Rourke.
When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens’ hunger swells to an appetite for change, and on returning from the field Coriolanus must confront the march of realpolitik and the voice of an angry people.
WAR HORSE
Live Broadcast: 2014 (exact date TBA, with many encore dates in U.S. cities)
National Theatre Live will broadcast the internationally beloved play War Horse live from London’s West End to cinemas around the world in 2014.
Since its first performance at the National Theatre in 2007, War Horsehas become an international phenomenon, seen by over 4 million people world-wide and receiving numerous awards, including two Olivier Awards in London, six Tony Awards in New York and three Dora Awards in Toronto.
Based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford, with direction by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, War Horse takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. Filled with stirring music and songs, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage.
War Horse is currently in its sixth year in London and is on a major tour of North America which continues through 2014. A tour of the UK and Ireland begins in September 2013 and Gefährten, a German language production of War Horse opens in Berlin in October 2013. More details on www.warhorseonstage.com.
NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE is distributed by New York-based BY Experience, Inc. (www.byexperience.net)
# # #
