The magic of Shakespeare's Globe theatre comes to NZ

The magic of Shakespeare's Globe theatre comes to NZ

20 August 2012

Shakespeare’s Globe in partnership with Arts Alliance Media will release three of its 2011 theatre productions to cinemas in New Zealand, Australia, the USA and the UK. The Globe on Screen season will launch globally from September 26 and will include All’s Well That Ends Well, with screenings to commence in New Zealand from September 26, Much Ado About Nothing, from October 10, and Doctor Faustus, from October 24.

Dominic Dromgoole, Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe said “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. 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-winning actress Janie Dee (Me & Orson Welles) is a delight as the Countess of Roussillon in All’s Well That Ends Well, directed by John Dove as an uplifting romantic comedy. The orphaned heroine Helena (Ellie Piercey) will stop at nothing to win the proud young aristocrat Bertram (Sam 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.

Shakespeare’s wittiest of comedies, Much Ado About Nothing, pairs Olivier Award-winning actress Eve Best (The King’s Speech, Nurse Jackie, Shackleton, The Shadow Line) and Charles Edwards (An Ideal Husband, Downton Abbey), as the sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick, and also features Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) as Leonato. Directed by Jeremy Herrin, this fearless display of Shakespeare’s wit and wisdom, in which words become weapons, comes to sparkling life.

Completing the Globe’s cinema season is a spectacular production of Christopher Marlowe’s tragedy Doctor Faustus, directed by Matthew Dunster. 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. Arthur Darvill, whose screen credits include the movie Pelican Blood but is best known as Doctor Who’s sidekick in the cult British TV classic, plays Mephistopheles. Paul Hilton, whose big screen credits include Wuthering Heights and Klimt with John Malkovich, takes the title role.

Globe on Screen harnesses the magic that draws people to the home of Shakespeare year after year. The three titles in this limited season give cinema audiences around the world a thrilling, up-close experience of the Globe from the comfort of their seat. For more information about the cinema season, visit the official website.

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ENDS

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