National Theatre 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
NT Live is an exciting initiative to broadcast live performances of plays onto cinema screens worldwide. The four show pilot season launched with Phèdre, with Helen Mirren, Margaret Tyzack and Dominic Cooper.
On 25 June the performance of Phèdre was filmed in high definition and broadcast via satellite to approximately 70 cinemas and arts centres, reaching a widespread audience live across the UK. Tickets cost £10. Over 200 venues around the world also screened the production.
This was followed by All's Well That Ends Well on Thursday 1 October. By the end of October, more than 300 venues had screened the production across the world.
New venues and countries continue to join NT Live, with the latest additions being Germany, Spain and Hawaii.
Read more about previous broadcasts
Read about the rest of the NT Live season
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.
NT Live is funded in partnership with:
With additional support from:
The Sidney E. Frank Foundation
The Michael Marks Charitable Trust
Northern Rock Foundation
