If we were to bring William Shakespeare back to life there is no telling what sort of path he might follow. On one hand, old Will could bless us with hundreds of plays, sonnets and poems while selling out theatres across the land, and becoming the toast of the culturally aware. On the other, he might follow the dollar signs of Hollywood, making a living creating blockbusters full of explosions, scantly clad women, awful dialogue and wisecracking protagonists. West-end musicals based on these films might or might not follow.

Such is the difficult state of theatre in the modern world. Even without the effects of the recession, dramatic theatre has had to compete with the spectacle of musicals, the accessibility of cinemas and the affordability of television programmes. Various attempts have been made to draw crowds to theatre, including free tickets to under-25s and free performances across the city, but now the National Theatre is now taking this mission worldwide, with NT Live.

The concept is simple. A single performance of Phèdre, starring Helen Mirren, is to be digitally filmed, and beamed to cinemas across the world. UK audiences will all experience the show live, while cinemas elsewhere will screen the performance at a suitable local time. The National Theatre hopes that this will open the walls of their performances to theatre fans across the globe, and even attract a few cinemagoers in the process.

Phèdre, based on the classic Greek myth, is a savage play by Jean Racine, translated into free verse by the late Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes. It follows Phèdre, who is consumed by an uncontrollable passion for her young stepson. Believing Theseus, her absent husband, to be dead, Phèdre confesses her darkest desires and enters the world of nightmare. However, when Theseus returns alive and well, Phèdre, fearing exposure, accuses her stepson of rape. Given the talent involved, this performance is sure to be entertaining and full of great production value, and nothing says “pass the popcorn” like Greek myths and incest.

The broadcast of Phèdre will occur on 25th June, and tickets will be available at approximately 50 cinemas and arts centres in the UK for £10. Over 100 venues around the world will also screen the production, and cinema audiences will be treated to behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with artists. The National Theatre also hopes to screen three more shows in a similar fashion throughout the year, but have yet to announce specifics. Those interested in viewing Phèdre may check their local art house cinema listings in the following areas.

Belsize Park | Brixton | Clapham | Croydon | East Finchley | Greenwich | Islington | Kensal Green | Notting Hill | Richmond | Stratford |

For more information on the production, or venues outside of london, visit the National Theatre.

-BE