NT Live

Hi-Definition Screenings

Captured live onstage and presented locally in high-definition video

National Theatre Live is the National Theatre’s groundbreaking project to broadcast the best of British Theatre live from the London stage to cinemas across the UK and around the world. As we add titles and dates to our schedule of screenings, you will find them here.

From the company that distributes National Theatre Live, the Great Art on Screen documentary series takes viewers around the world for a fascinating look at the most groundbreaking artists and art epicenters in history.


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Click on the titles below for Content Advisory Notes

NT Live: Present Laughter

This production contains discussion of sex, mentions of suicidal ideation, and alcohol use. 

42nd Street

This production contains workplace sexual misconduct, use of a firearm and audible gunshot, and brief strobing lights.

The Motive and the Cue

This production contains alcohol use and intoxication, smoking, and references to sex.

For information about content for any of our upcoming programming, please contact the box office.

Current and Upcoming Screenings

Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.

While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.

Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.

Sam Mendes (The Lehman Trilogy) directs Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton in this fierce and funny new play.

1964: Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under John Gielgud’s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.

Written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and designed by Es Devlin (The Crucible), the Evening Standard award-winning best new play was filmed live during a sold-out run at the National Theatre.

One of Broadway's most classic and beloved tales, 42nd Street, comes to cinema screens in the largest-ever production of the breathtaking musical. 

In 1933, Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer, catches the eye of a legendary Broadway director and lands a spot in the chorus of a new musical. When the star of the show is injured, the production will have to close — unless a new girl talented enough to lead the show can be found.

The original author of the show, Mark Bramble, directs this eye-watering extravaganza full of crowd-pleasing tap dances, popular musical theatre standards, and show-stopping ensemble production numbers. Filmed in 2018 at London’s Theatre Royal.

The multi award-winning production of Noël Coward’s provocative comedy featuring Andrew Scott (Vanya, Fleabag) returns to the big screen.

As he prepares to embark on an overseas tour, star actor Garry Essendine’s colourful life is in danger of spiralling out of control. Engulfed by an escalating identity crisis as his many and various relationships compete for his attention, Garry’s few remaining days at home are a chaotic whirlwind of love, sex, panic and soul-searching.

Filmed live from The Old Vic in London during a sold out run in 2019, Matthew Warchus (Matilda the Musical) directs this giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.

Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange, Sherlock, The Power of the Dog) takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s great tragedy.

As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father’s death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner (Posh, Chimerica) and produced by Sonia Friedman Productions. Filmed live from the Barbican.