Jonathan Kent’s production of Private Lives starring Toby Stephens and Anna Chancellor will become the second West End stage offering to make it to the big screen next year when it is screened in cinemas worldwide.
The collaboration between CinemaLive and Digital Theatre, which will kick off its West End Theatre Series with Maria Friedman’s acclaimed production of Merrily We Roll Along later this month, marks the first time that West End productions have been seen in High Definition as part of a global cinema series.
Private Lives, which transferred to the Gielgud theatre earlier this year following an acclaimed run at Chichester Festival Theatre, saw Stephens and Chancellor take on the roles of Noël Coward’s sparring divorcees Elyot and Amanda as they are reunited while on honeymoon with their new partners, reigniting their passion without a thought for their turbulent past relationship.
Featuring a cast that also included Anthony Calf, Anna-Louise Plowman and Sue Kelvin, the acclaimed comedy was described by Charles Spencer in his five star review for The Telegraph as “a gloriously entertaining evening offering two hours of comic bliss.”
Talking about the stage to screen initiative, Robert Delamere, co-founder and CEO of Digital Theatre, said: “To be working once again with CinemaLive in bringing a second hit West End show to cinemas around the world is thrilling. Following the huge success of the first production in our West End Theatre Series, we look forward to further expanding the series and extending the reach of the very best of British theatre to a global audience.”
Private Lives can be seen in UK cinemas from 6 February and US cinemas for one night only on 11 December, with tickets going on sale on 8 November. To find out if it’s coming to a cinema near you visit www.cinemalive.com