"With the advent of new technology it is now possible to see and hear theatrical productions in the cinema with a wonderful sharpness and clarity," said Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe, in a previous statement. "We are delighted that these productions will be finding new audiences, who can experience Globe shows as if they were in the building."
Olivier Award winner Eve Best ("Nurse Jackie") and Charles Edwards ("Downton Abbey") star as respective lovers Beatrice and Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, which begins screenings Oct. 10 in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand with U.S. screenings set to begin Oct. 23.
Directed by Jeremy Herrin, the cast also features Joseph Marcell ("The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air") as Leonato.
"The Globe on Screen" kicked off its 2012 season with All's Well That Ends Well, which stars Olivier Award-winning actress Janie Dee ("Me & Orson Welles") as the Countess of Roussillon. Screenings began Sept. 26 in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand; U.S. screenings are set to begin Oct. 11.
Directed by John Dove, the cast also includes Ellie Piercey and Sam Crane. Here's how the Globe describes the work: "The orphaned heroine Helena (Piercey) will stop at nothing to win the proud young aristocrat Bertram (Crane) who is forced to marry her but instantly abandons her. Sumptuous costumes, outstanding original music, and a fine ensemble of actors captured the spirit of Shakespeare's complex Chekhovian comedy." Also included in the 2012 season is Christopher Marlowe's tragedy, Doctor Faustus, directed by Matthew Dunster, which concludes the Globe's cinema season. The production, which begins screenings in the U.S. on Nov. 8, stars Arthur Darvill ("Pelican Blood") as Mephistopheles and Paul Hilton ("Wuthering Heights") in the title role. The work is described as "the legendary story of a man who sells his soul to the devil for power and pleasure is given a bright and brilliant interpretation with puppets, pyrotechnics and magic tricks."
"The Globe on Screen" is presented by Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in partnership with Arts Alliance Media. For more information and a complete list of screenings, visit ShakespeareGlobe.com.