National Theatre Live: ReView/PreView

The View from The National 

Here’s the deal on NationalTheatreLive: Britain's Royal National Theatre creates some of the world’s most glorious productions & they thought it was only be fair to share the awesomeness. So, they film productions & present them via satellites to various movie theatres.  The plays are presented live in Britain, but the screenings may be delayed up to 4 weeks for airings in the U.S [However, it was recently announced that The National Theatre will open NYC-based office to allow the filming/live phenomena to apply to North American-based productions as well. It is a sensible move forward since shows from The National Theatre have been recently appearing on Broadway: we had War Horse last year (which has also made the leap from Broadway to Broadway in Chicago from Dec. 18-Jan. 5 @ The Cadillac Palace) & One Man Two Guvnors this year. I saw a preview of War Horse at Broadway in Chicago's Summer Concert & can't wait to see it live.]

Book Sale outside The National 

David Sabel, overseer of The National’s digital media, has stated, "The history of filmed theatre does not have a great track record, so we went into the series as something of an experiment." I do not entirely agree with this statement. There have been filmed stage releases that have been huge hits in my book [Sunday in the Park with George, Passion, Legally Blonde: The Musical produced by MTV], as well as films of awesome theatre concerts [Hey, Mr. Producer, The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert, Les Miserables @ Royal Albert Hall] that also ruled. I do agree that this is an untapped & underappreciated avenue, but the track record thus far has proven successful & enjoyable [though much more for filmed musicals over plays]. I saw The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time on Oct. 17 @ The Music Box Theatre & it was great. It had an innovative & contemporary script, insane & impressive set design, and impeccable & inspiring actors. Pretty much everything I expected & more.

The witches from MacBeth

David Sabel has also stated: "What’s exciting is that there is now an audience who may never set foot inside the National but can still have a meaningful relationship with us." I couldn’t agree with this statement more. During the summer before my senior year of college, I did a theatre study abroad in England & fell in love with the National Theatre. I saw Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 (in one very long/awesome afternoon/evening) & The House of Bernarda Alba. They were such stellar & exceptional productions that I will forever trust anything produced by the National Theatre. [It was also on this trip that I first realized I wanted to be a theatre critic.]

Chicago's NationalTheatreLive Fall Schedule:

FRANKENSTEIN: Oct. 30: Northwestern’s Josephine Louis Theatre @ 7 & 10:30 

[I already have my tickets.] 

THE LAST OF THE HAUSSMAN: 

Nov. 7: The Music Box Theatre @ 7 // Nov. 13: Northwestern’s Josephine Louis Theatre @ 7 

TIMON OF ATHENS:

Nov. 27: Northwestern’s Ethel M. Barber Theatre @ 7 // Nov. 28: The Music Box Theatre @ 7 

Ticket Prices: Northwestern: $20/$10 student // Music Box Theatre: $18/$15 in advance.