CinemaLive and Shakespeare’s Globe are pleased to announce the first live cinema broadcast from this iconic, open-air theatre.
King Lear will be broadcast live in over 300 cinemas across the UK & Ireland for one night only on 21st September at 7.30pm.
Actor Kevin McNally, best known to audiences worldwide for his role as Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, takes on the role of King Lear in this live cinema broadcast from London’s Shakespeare’s Globe. Kevin’s other screen credits include The Man Who Knew Infinity, Downton Abbey and the BBC’s Fleabag. Nancy Meckler, founder and former Artistic Director of renowned theatre company Shared Experience, will direct the production.
This is the first performance to be broadcast live to cinemas across the country from Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s Bankside, as well as the first production which the theatre and CinemaLive are to partner on.
Since its opening in 1997, the Globe has welcomed thousands of visitors from across the world. Now in its 20th anniversary year, Shakespeare’s Globe, in partnership with CinemaLive, will provide a unique opportunity for a whole new audience to experience one of the Bard’s greatest plays, being performed live in this incredible setting.
CinemaLive Director Janelle Mason commented: “We’re really excited to be working with Shakespeare’s Globe and proud to be delivering their very first live production from this iconic theatre, to UK cinemas. We aim to capture the true atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind setting, rain or shine, and bring it to theatre lovers in the comfort of their local cinema.”
On stage, Kevin McNally’s credits include playing Claudius in Michael Grandage’s Hamlet in the West End and on Broadway, David Bliss in Howard Davies’ Hay Fever in the West End, and Alan Bennett in Nick Hytner’s original production of The Lady in the Van.
Nancy Meckler’s numerous productions for Shared Experience include the award-winning Anna Karenina, Heartbreak House, True West, The Birthday Party, The Bacchae and Orestes. She has also directed at major venues including the RSC, Royal Court and Almeida, and is a former associate director of Hampstead Theatre and Leicester Haymarket. She became the first woman to direct a major production at the National Theatre, with Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
For more information, ticketing and a list of all participating cinemas in the UK and Ireland please visit www.cinemalive.com
