The first Branagh Theatre Live Screening will be of the opening production of The Winter's Tale, which will take place Nov. 26. Future productions that will be broadcast are Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer. Broadcast dates for these will be announced on the day of the preceding production's broadcast.

In a press statement, Branagh commented, "In 2015, where theatre making and film making meet is exciting. The cinema broadcasts of our plays hope to challenge the possibilities of this relationship. We have a team of people who are experienced in both worlds. The potential results, particularly in exploring the magic of Shakespeare, should be fascinating."

He goes on, "I am very pleased indeed to be working with Picturehouse to bring The Winter's Tale and subsequently Romeo & Juliet and The Entertainer live into cinemas around the world. These plays have epic dimensions but also great intimacy, and I believe that, working with the talented director Benjamin Caron, we can bring the immediacy and excitement of the live stage production into cinemas. We will employ film techniques to make these broadcasts truly cinematic, without in any way compromising the theatrical experience."

Caron, who is directing the cinema broadcast for The Winter's Tale, has also recently collaborated with Kenneth Branagh on the forthcoming series of "Wallander" which is due to be broadcast on the BBC in 2016.

Branagh knows a bit about Shakespeare on film, having starred in a remarkable series of Hollywood-style Bard adaptations, including "Henry V," "Hamlet," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Love's Labour's Lost" and "Othello." The Winter's Tale begins performances Oct. 17 prior to an official opening Nov. 7 at the West End's Garrick Theatre, for a run through Jan. 16.



For participating cinemas and to book tickets for the first live screening, visit branaghtheatrelive.com