The latest NT Live series promises world-class actors and award-winning theatre.

London’s National Theatre is one of the world’s most esteemed purveyors of fine on-stage drama. Featuring some of the most recognisable acting talent on the planet, demand for tickets regularly outstrips supply at the theatre company’s home on London’s Southbank.

However, theatre lovers in Australia will once again be able to see some of the top productions from the National Theatre (without out having to fork out for the plane fare to London), courtesy of Sharmill Films, as the latest NT Live season kicks off on Saturday at participating cinemas around the country.

The National Theatre

Since its first season, which began in June 2009 with the acclaimed production of Phédre starring Helen Mirren, over 1.75 million people have now experienced the work of the National Theatre in cinemas worldwide.

Fresh of the back of the recent record-breaking $1 million Australian cinema box office success of The Audience starring Helen Mirren as The Queen (winner of two 2013 Olivier Awards, including the Best Actress award for Mirren), this latest season, Artistic Director Nicholas Hytner’s final one for the company, is similarly adorned with awards and a-list actors.

Among this season’s highlights is the highly anticipated new play by one of the UK’s most eminent playwrights, Tom Stoppard. The Hard Problem, directed by Nicholas Hytner in his swan-song directorial engagement for the National Theatre as AD, will be screened from May 23.

Oscar nominee, and cult-status actor Benedict Cumberbatch, will appear in the title role of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in another of the must-see screenings from the upcoming NT Live series, in cinemas from November 7. 

However, perhaps the most coveted tickets will be for Arthur Miller’s seminal play, A View from the Bridge. Winner of three 2015 Olivier Awards for Best Revival, Best Direction from Ivo Van Hove, and Best Actor for Mark Strong, this highly lauded and critical praised production will be screened from May 9.

Ahead of the screenings, Limelight will bringing you exclusive reviews from London of the productions being screen as part of the NT Live season.

For tickets and participating cinemas, visit the Sharmill Films website. The NT Live screenings begin with Behind the Beautiful Forevers, April 25.