London Olympics 2012: Danny Boyle’s Opening Ceremony Inspired By FRANKENSTEIN

Who would have thought that a theatrical project on The National’s stage more than a year ago would be the ingredients for an Olympic opening ceremony! That’s at least what Danny Boyle, Frankenstein Director and Olympic Artistic Director tells Vogue,stating…

 “(There is) quite a lot of Frankenstein in the show. I mean, we don’t reanimate dead creatures, but we did use Frankenstein as a dry run for a lot of ideas for this.”

So could we say that Frankenstein is the prequel to the Olympic games? If so, you can catch our broadcast this June prior to the 27 July opening ceremony and get a taste of what’s to come. And the Olivier-winning performances by Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller aren’t bad either.

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS: Original NT Live Trailer

With May coming to a close, there are still some NT Live Encore broadcasts of One Man hitting cinemas in the US throughout June (and one in August - looking at you Grand Theatre in Maine!). In all the hubbub the Broadway production has received (fingers crossed for our 7 Tony nominations on 10 June) we haven’t posted our original NT Live trailer for the production which shows actual footage from the Live broadcast. Take a look and enjoy!

*Note: Dates mentioned are from the previous season and do not reflect NT Live Encores. For correct dates/cities click here

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS: Alfie by way of Tom Edden

For those who’ve had the pleasure to see One Man, Two Guvnors either in September during our first NT Live broadcast, at The National, on the West End, or on Broadway, you often hear at interval the gut wrenches laughs and raves for a certain character that steals the show - Alfie…

“Over the course of the 25-minute dinner scene that ends Act I, Mr. Edden is put through a physical comedy regimen that would tax even the most seasoned clown. He gets dragged by the legs face down; takes a door, a cricket bat and bottle opener to the face; careers offstage on a cart; and takes a piggyback ride.”

Played by Tom Edden, he’s become a character favorite and plays wonderfully with James Corden. Read on for a great profile and if you haven’t caught his shenanigans on stage, check him out via NT Live Encores.

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS: Cast Interviews (Original NT Production)

There’s still an opportunity to catch an Encore broadcast of our Tony nominated One Man, Two Guvnors for the remainder of May in select US cities. For those who don’t know much about the show, the cast provides a wonderful insight into the high-jinks comedy that surrounds this classic commedia dell’arte. For those who’ve seen the production, this is a great look into the early makings at The National. For remaining broadcast dates/times, click here - enjoy!

FRANKENSTEIN: Johnny Lee Miller on the Olivier Red Carpet & Frankenstein Moscow!

Jonny Lee Miller is half of the dynamic duo that is Frankenstein, playing both roles of Creature and Dr. Frankenstein with co-star Benedict Cumberbatch. Only hours away from both actors taking home the 2012 Olivier for Best Actor, Jonny speaks about the rigors of the part, particularly Creature, on the Olivier red carpet. Congratulations again for their win - we at The National could not be more proud!

We’re also pleased to announce that for the first time, National Theatre Live will be broadcast in Moscow! Screenings of Frankenstein will take place over the summer. Dates will be confirmed shortly and tickets on sale soon. For more information click here (that is if you can read Russian).

FRANKENSTEIN: Benedict Cumberbatch on BBC Radio 2 w/Graham Norton

Check out this AUDIO capture of Benedict Cumberbatch talking with BBC Radio 2 host and TV personality Graham Norton about Frankenstein, NT Live, Danny Boyle, War Horse, and Sherlock. Recorded 12 February of 2011, Benedict talks only 5 previews-in of performing Frankenstein on the National stage and discusses acting both roles of Creature and Dr. Frankenstein. A great listen for both fans and newbies!

On another note, our Frankenstein trailers are now officially listed on Apple Trailers!!! Check it out and spread the word!

*Note: The dates mentioned in the BBC audio are from our previous NT Live season. Check NTLive.com for exact dates in your local cinema.

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS: James Corden, Nicholas Hytner, & Richard Bean on THEATRE TALK

“The funniest play that I’ve seen on Broadway since the original production of Noises Off” - Michael Riedel, NY Post

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From Nick Hytner’s vision to Richard Bean’s words to James Corden’s stage interpretation, One Man, Two Guvnors has taken both Broadway and the West End in hilarity. New York’s Theatre Talk, hosted by Michael Riedel of the NY Post and Susan Haskins, interviews all three on their journey from London to New York and investigates how the show blossomed from workshop to the part-improvisation seen every night on both sides of the Atlantic. Catch the production in your local cinema via NT Live during the month of May.

Also, if you enjoyed One Man in person or via NT Live broadcast, vote for the production via Broadwayworld Awards by clicking here.

FRANKENSTEIN: Benedict Cumberbatch LA Times Profile

Benedict Cumberbatch, one of our two Olivier winning leads of both Creature and Dr. Frankenstein in this years Encore broadcast, is receiving much attention this month not just for his outstanding role in Frankenstein, but his turn as BBC’s new Sherlock Holmes, Star Trek’s new villain Khan, and a role in The Hobbit, a follow-up to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Read the full article for an insightful look into one of Britain’s most prolific actors and then catch him on your local cinema screen this June in NT Live’s rebroadcast of Frankenstein.

ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS: Audience Reviews via Broadway.com

“It had me laughing the whole time…it was hard belly laughs”

“I love the show, I thought it was really, really, funny!”

“I would tell anyone to go see it!”

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We’ve interviewed audience members in London and New York and the consensus with One Man, Two Guvnors is laughter is a universal appeal. Broadway.com took some time to conduct their “Word of Mouth” reviews for the New York production and the “word” is nothing but positive. We hope you can join-in the fun and catch the NT Live Encore presentation during the month of May at your nearest local cinema in the US, Canada, and Australia. For more information, broadcast locations, and tickets, click here.

*Cast members in the New York production also appear in the NT Live Encore broadcast

NT Live Season 4 Preview: Julie Walters speaks with Graham Norton about THE LAST OF THE HAUSSMANS

Taking a break from our Season 3 ENCORES plug, we want to give you a peak inside our next season offerings by way of UK talk show Graham Norton. Julie Walters, who is part of our wonderful cast in The Last of the Haussmans, talks to Graham not only about the production, but her excitement about it being filmed by NT Live and beamed around the globe! For those in the US, you can catch the interview this Saturday, May 12, on BBC America. Check local listings for channel and time. For those in the UK, catch it again by clicking here.

Julie Walters plays Judy Haussman with Rory Kinnear and Helen McCrory as her children in his eagerly-anticipated new play: a funny, touching and sometimes savage portrait of a family that’s losing its grip.

For more information on NT Live’s broadcast of The Last of the Haussmans, click here