The National Theatre announces two new productions that will be broadcast as part of the 2023 National Theatre Live programme, shown in cinemas in the UK and internationally. Tickets are now available on the NT Live website.
Puppetry, magic and storytelling combine in Life of Pi, a uniquely enchanting production of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti (Hymn) and produced by Simon Friend Entertainment. Brought to life in a breath-taking new way for cinema screens, the broadcast will feature state-of-the-art visuals, illustrating this epic journey of endurance and hope for audiences of all ages. Filmed live on stage in London’s West End, with the production’s multi-Olivier Award-winning cast and directed by Max Webster (Henry V), Life of Pi will be broadcast around the globe (excluding the United States, due to its Broadway transfer) in March 2023.
This May, audiences are invited to Best of Enemies, a multiple award-winning new drama from James Graham (Sherwood). In divided 1968 America, David Harewood (Homeland) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) play feuding political rivals William F. Buckley Jr and Gore Vidal as they debate the moral landscape of a shattered nation, in a blistering political thriller directed by Jeremy Herrin (People, Places & Things). Following a sold-out run at the Young Vic Theatre, Best of Enemies is now at the Noël Coward Theatre until 18 February and will be captured live on the West End stage, for release into cinemas worldwide in May 2023. This production is from Second Half Productions, Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Wessex Grove, Young Vic Theatre and Headlong.
These two productions join GOOD, set for release into cinemas from April 2023. As the world faces a World War, John Halder, a decent, intelligent, music-loving German professor, finds himself swept along in a movement that crescendos towards an unthinkable finale. David Tennant (Doctor Who) makes a much-anticipated return to the West End in a reimagining of one of Britain’s most powerful, political plays, presented by Fictionhouse and Playful Productions. Olivier Award-winner Dominic Cooke (Follies) directs C. P. Taylor’s timely tale, with the cast featuring Elliot Levey (Cabaret) and Sharon Small (The Bay).
The new year programme begins with an urgent and contemporary staging of The Crucible, featuring Erin Doherty (The Crown) as Abigail Williams and Brendan Cowell (Yerma) as John Proctor, captured live at the National Theatre and released to cinemas on 26 January. Followed by Othello – with Giles Terera (Hamilton) as Othello, Rosy McEwen (The Alienist) as Desdemona and Paul Hilton (The Inheritance) as Iago – captured live at the National Theatre and released to cinemas on 23 February.
Sky Arts is the Headline Partner of National Theatre Live in the UK.
The upcoming programme includes:
The Crucible
Thursday 26 January 2023 in the UK/Ireland, Thursday 2 March 2023 internationally
by Arthur Miller, directed by Lyndsey Turner
A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power with Erin Doherty (The Crown) and Brendan Cowell (Yerma).
Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. As a climate of fear, vendetta and accusation spreads through the community, no one is safe from trial.
Lyndsey Turner (Hamlet) directs this contemporary new staging, designed by Tony Award-winner Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy).
Filmed live on the Olivier stage at the National Theatre.
Othello
Thursday 23 February 2023 in the UK/Ireland, Thursday 27 April 2023 internationally
by William Shakespeare, directed by Clint Dyer
An extraordinary new production of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy, directed by Clint Dyer (Death of England: Parts 1, 2 and 3) with a cast that includes Giles Terera (Hamilton), Rosy McEwen (The Alienist) and Paul Hilton (The Inheritance).
She’s a bright, headstrong daughter of a senator; elevated by her status but stifled by its expectations. He’s refugee of slavery; having risen to the top of a white world, he finds love across racial lines has a cost.
Wed in secret, Desdemona and Othello crave a new life together. But as unseen forces conspire against them, they find their future is not theirs to decide.
Filmed live on the Lyttelton stage at the National Theatre.
Life of Pi
Thursday 30 March 2023 internationally (excludes the United States)
by Yann Martel, adapted by Lolita Chakrabarti, directed by Max Webster
Puppetry, magic and storytelling combine in a unique, Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of the best-selling novel, produced by Simon Friend Entertainment.
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?
Featuring state-of-the-art visuals, the epic journey of endurance and hope is bought to life in a breath-taking new way for cinemas screens.
Filmed live at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End.
GOOD
Thursday 20 April 2023 in the UK/Ireland, Thursday 15 June 2023 internationally
by C.P. Taylor, directed by Dominic Cooke
David Tennant (Doctor Who) makes a much-anticipated return to the West End in a blistering reimagining of one of Britain’s most powerful, political plays, presented by Fictionhouse and Playful Productions.
As the world faces its Second World War, John Halder, a good, intelligent German professor, finds himself pulled into a movement with unthinkable consequences.
Olivier Award-winner Dominic Cooke (Follies) directs C.P. Taylor’s timely tale, with a cast that also features Elliot Levey (Coriolanus) and Sharon Small (The Bay).
Filmed live at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End.
Best of Enemies
Thursday 18 May 2023 internationally
by James Graham, directed by Jeremy Herrin
inspired by the documentary by Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon
David Harewood (Homeland) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) play feuding political rivals William F. Buckley Jr and Gore Vidal in James Graham’s (Sherwood) multiple award-winning new drama.
In 1968 America, as two men fight to become the next president, all eyes are on the battle between two others: the cunningly conservative William F. Buckley Jr., and the unruly liberal Gore Vidal.
During a new nightly television format, they debate the moral landscape of a shattered nation. Jeremy Herrin (People, Places & Things) directs this blistering political thriller, where beliefs are challenged and slurs slung, a new frontier in American politics is opening and television news is about to be transformed forever.
This production is from Second Half Productions, Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Wessex Grove, Young Vic Theatre and Headlong.
Filmed live at the Noël Coward Theatre in London’s West End.
