NT Live
What Is NT Live?
NT Live is the exciting initiative from London's National
Theatre to broadcast its productions on cinema and art-center screens around the world. Third Rail, in its home at the
World Trade Center Theater, is currently the only Portland venue to host NT Live. Because of the significant time difference
between Portland and London, Third Rail presents "live-captured" performances shortly after the original live broadcasts.
In 2009, the pilot season launched with Phèdre, starring Helen Mirren. This was followed by productions of
Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well, Terry Pratchett's Nation, Alan Bennett's new play
The Habit of Art, and a bonus presentation of Dion Bousicault's London Assurance.
How Do People Like NT Live?
From the NT Live web site:
- Last night a friend invited me to see The Habit of Art at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. I wasn't
quite sure what he meant about seeing a play from the National Theatre of London at a local cinema. I was much more than
pleasantly surprised to discover that he meant a real play, currently running in London that had been recorded live in high
definition was being presented in movie theaters all over the world, including Los Angeles. My head is still spinning a bit
at the genius of the idea.
- The whole concept is absolutely wonderful. A brilliant idea to bring theatre to those of us who cannot easily get to
London to enjoy the National Theatre. These screenings are by no means a 'second best' option to live performance
but an innovative alternative — I wish more live theatre could be delivered in this way.
- All I can really do is thank you and congratulate you on the best idea for promoting and supporting the performing
arts I've seen in my lifetime.
- We are so grateful for the live relays, so much easier than attempting to get to London and back... and in some ways,
better than being in the theatre as we get such revealing close-ups.
What is the National Theatre?
Founded in 1963, The Royal National Theatre is one of the world's premiere English-language theatre companies. The
National Theatre stages over 20 productions a year. These are put on in its three auditoriums — the Olivier, Lyttelton and
Cottesloe Theatres—and in these three theatres, they present a mix of new plays and classics, with up to six productions in
repertory at any one time.
Among the plays that had their first performances at the National Theatre are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,
Equus, Bedroom Farce, Plenty, Betrayal, Amadeus, The Secret Rapture, The Madness
of King George, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Closer, The Invention
of Love, Copenhagen, House/Garden, Humble Boy, The Coast of Utopia, Frozen, Jerry
Springer - The Opera, Stuff Happens, The History Boys, The Seafarer, War Horse, and The
Pillowman.
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