It’s been 10 years since the National Theatre’s ground-breaking scheme, NT Live, first beamed a live performance to cinema screens around the country. That performance of Phèdre (with Helen Mirren, no less!) was a sign of things to come: since then, millions of people have experienced the power of live theatre through thousands of cinema screens around the world.
From hit West End musicals like The King And I to powerful award-winning plays like the Young Vic’s A View From The Bridge – and with no shortage of dance and opera productions broadcast as well – theatre on the silver screen has never been more popular. The phenomenon’s even reached Broadway – the 2014 production Of Mice And Men, with James Franco and Chris O’Dowd, was captured by NT Live.
To celebrate this milestone, we’ve rounded up just a handful of the theatrical productions you can see in Vue cinemas this year.
The King And I: Live From The London Palladium (Encore)
Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe in The King And I
It’s recently been nominated for six Olivier Awards, adding to its nine Tony noms (and four wins). This resplendent revival of The King And I, starring Kelli O’Hara and Ken Watanabe, seems to be going from strength to strength, and has recently announced it’ll return to cinemas next month for an encore screening, having stormed cinema box offices last year.
We well recommend spending some time Getting To Know it!
When?: Thursday 4 April
Book via Vue Cinemas here.
NT Live: All About Eve
The cast of All About Eve at the Noël Coward Theatre (Photo: Jan Versweyveld)
Ivo van Hove’s fascinating thriller is all but sold-out at the Noël Coward Theatre. But such is the stunning level of acting on display from Gillian Anderson, Lily James, Monica Dolan and co. that it’s a production that demands to be seen.
Bringing the iconic 1950 Oscar-winning film to the stage, All About Eve follows Margo Channing (an Olivier-nominated performance from Anderson), a star of the stage who welcomes a sweet young lady, Eve, into her entourage. But Eve has designs on stardom herself, and will go to any lengths to attain it…
When?: Thursday 11 April; Monday 29 April, Friday 3 May (both encore screenings)
Book via Vue Cinemas here.
An American In Paris: The Musical
An American In Paris at the Dominion Theatre (Photo: Johan Persson)
Glorious. There’s no other word to describe An American In Paris, the simply breath-taking musical story of a young G.I.’s discovery of love and life in the City of Light. Directed by Christopher Wheeldon and starring Robert Fairchild and Leanne Cope, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical has toured the world to global acclaim.
And this broadcast, recorded while the show was playing in the West End’s Dominion Theatre, is sure to sweep you off your feet and having you dancing into the night sky.
When?: Tuesday 7 May
Book via Vue Cinemas here.
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Dominic North and Will Bozier in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake (Photo: Johan Persson)
Sir Matthew Bourne’s impact on the world of dance cannot be understated. And it’s set to be commemorated at this year’s Olivier Awards with Mastercard ceremony, where he’ll be presented with a Special Award for his contribution.
Swan Lake was one of Matthew’s earliest smash-hit productions, a classic ballet reborn on the London stage in 1995. It has since become a seminal modern show, enjoyed throughout the world. It was filmed live at Sadler’s Wells in January, and is now set to be screened across the country.
When?: Tuesday 21 May
Book via Vue Cinemas here.
NT Live: Small Island
Based on Andrea Levy’s epic, Orange Prize-winning novel – adapted for the stage by Helen Edmunson – this tale permeates with hope and humanity on the National Theatre stage.
The show charts three seemingly disparate but intricately connected stories, spanning the tangled history of Jamaica and the UK. Small Island’s company of 40 rolls through the history books with emphatic poignancy – it’s a story that needs to be heard across the country.
When?: Thursday 27 June
Book via Vue Cinemas here.
NT Live: One Man, Two Guvnors
James Corden in One Man, Two Guvnors
Richard Bean’s One Man, Two Guvnors is a gag-a-minute delight, starring a Tony Award-winning James Corden as Francis Henshall, a hapless assistant caught between two employers.
Racking up as many rave reviews as it does pauses in the action (necessary to allow audience members to catch their breath), it’s a no-holds-barred, unpredictable romp of a comedy, returning to cinema screens as part of the National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday celebrations – and what a gift it is.
When?: Thursday 26 September
Book via Vue Cinemas here.
Vue Cinemas also offer a number of big screen events throughout the year.