National Theatre Live Broadcasts to Cinema
The Nation Theatre based at London’s Southbank is to embark on a radical new initiative to broadcast live performances of plays onto cinema screens worldwide. A pilot season of four shows is planned starting with a broadcast of the play Phèdre, with Helen Mirren, Margaret Tyzack and Dominic Cooper on July 25th. This will be restricted to fifty UK cinemas, but clearly if the technology holds up it could be expanded worldwide wherever there is sufficient interest. NESTA which is a Quango supporting innovation is sponsoring:
National Theatre : NT Live : What is it? How does it work?
NT Live
What is it? How does it work?Live theatre broadcast to cinema screens around the world.
‘I grew up in Manchester in the 60s. If I had been able to see Olivier’s National Theatre at my local cinema, I would have gone all of the time.’ Nicholas Hytner
On 25 June the performance of Phèdre will be filmed in high definition and broadcast via satellite to approximately 50 cinemas and arts centres, reaching a widespread audience live across the UK. Tickets will cost £10. Over 100 venues around the world will also screen the production.
The remaining three shows in the pilot season have yet to be announced but will feature a range of the National’s diverse repertoire. The performances will be nominated in advance to allow cameras greater freedom in the auditorium.
Broadcasts will also feature behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with artists. We hope to open the walls of the National Theatre and invite cinema audiences around the country and the world to share in the work we create.
Find out if NT Live is at a cinema near you on 25 June.
NT Live is funded in partnership with: NESTA
Future international venues for live screenings of Phèdre are intended for
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Sweden & US.
The big question which this initiative perhaps seeks to answer is this:
Do people really want to see “live” theatre at the cinema?
Well do you?
Just saw an HD broadcast of Phedre in Vero Beach, FLorida. It was fabulous. In the pre-play “chat” with Jeremy Irons, he mentioned that, if the broadcasting of Phedre, was a success, there would be more broadcasts in the future. PLEASE CONTINUE.
Fully agree. Four of us went to see Phèdre in Brussels, Belgium and can’t stop talking about it! We are so delighted to be able to see some of the best of London theatre transmitted abroad in this way. A resounding YES, do please continue.
We watched with great anticipation “phedre” and were thrilled!!The very concept of beaming such a classic live or otherwise is truly a service to the literate world.We sincerely hope you would continue to do this and count us in as your loyal fans!!
Thanks,
chivukula