THIS HOUSE Broadcasts From National Theatre Live Begin Thursday

t's 1974 and the corridors of Westminster ring with the sound of infighting and backbiting as Britain's political parties battle to change the future of the nation, whatever it takes. In this hung parliament, the ruling party holds on by a thread. Votes are won and lost by one, fist fights erupt in the bars, and ill MPs (Members of Parliament) are hauled in to cast their votes.

It's a time when a staggering number of politicians die, and age-old traditions and allegiances are thrown aside in the struggle for power.

James Graham's biting, energetic and critically-acclaimed new play strips politics down to the practical realities of those behind the scenes who roll up their sleeves, and on occasion bend the rules, to maneuver a diverse and conflicting chorus of MPs within the Mother of all Parliaments.

National Theatre Live can be seen at cinemas screens throughout North America.

National Theatre Live is an initiative by the UK's National Theatre to broadcast live performances onto cinema screens around the world. Since its first season, which began in June 2009 with the acclaimed production of Phédre starring Helen Mirren, over 1.3 million people have now experienced the National's work on movie screens worldwide. The current record-breaking season, which included the program's most-seen title to date, Alan Bennett's new comedy People, has contributed significantly to the National's recently reported growth in global audiences.