The National Theatre today announces two new National Theatre Live productions that will be released to audiences in cinemas across the UK and Ireland this winter. Following sold-out runs, Dear England and VANYA will be new to NT Live, alongside the rerelease of Olivier-award winning production, Skylight.
A hard-hitting tale of love, passion and ideology, David Hare’s Skylight with Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy will return to UK cinemas on 16 November 2023. Filmed from its hugely successful run in the West End in 2014, it is one of the highest grossing NT Live titles of all time, with the original broadcast seen by over 115,000 people in the UK almost 10 years ago.
Next January, audiences are invited to James Graham’s spectacular hit play, Dear England, filmed live during its sold-out run at the National Theatre. With the worst track record for penalties in the world, Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt, to take team and country back to the promised land. With Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) as Gareth Southgate and directed by Rupert Goold, the production will be released in cinemas from 25 January 2024.
Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings to life multiple characters in VANYA – a radical new version of Chekhov’s comedic and tragic masterpiece Uncle Vanya, adapted by Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time) and directed by Sam Yates. Filmed during its sold-out critically acclaimed run in London’s West End, this one-man adaptation exploring the complexities of human emotions will be released to cinemas from 22 February 2024, presented by Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Kater Gordon.
In addition to these releases, four other popular productions from recent years will be available in cinemas between now and Christmas, perfect to keep audiences warm this autumn season. The rollicking comedy, Jack Absolute Flies Again, the fantastical adventure The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage, Simon Stone’s powerful reworking of Yerma featuring Billie Piper (I Hate Suzie) and Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, Romeo & Juliet will be available for screenings from 19 October 2023.
Andrew Scott, on the NT Live broadcast of Vanya, said:
“We put our heart and souls into creating this show together, and we are completely overwhelmed and thrilled with the response. I’m honoured and delighted that our version of this masterpiece can be watched by a wider audience through our colleagues at NT live.
I’ve never been more convinced by the necessity and connective power of live theatre. Long may it reign.”
Emma Keith, Managing Director, Digital, National Theatre, said:
“We are delighted to grow our National Theatre Live offering and bring some of the very best of NT’s theatre capture to screens across the country. We are stead-fast in our commitment to making world-class theatre accessible to all, and we can’t wait to see these new and beloved productions resonate with audiences nationwide.”
Sky Arts is the Headline Sponsor of National Theatre Live in the UK.