RSC's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Coming to US Cinemas Next Month

The Royal Shakespeare Company's acclaimed production of Shakespeare's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE will play in select movie houses across North America, beginning August 19.

The production, which opened to rave reviews at the RSC's home in Stratford-upon-Avon, was filmed for "Live from Stratford-upon-Avon," the RSC program that screens the world's greatest classical theatre company from Shakespeare's home town around the world through a continued partnership with Picturehouse Entertainment.

Makram J Khoury, one of the most celebrated actors in Israel, makes his RSC debut playing Shylock in Polly Findlay's production of The Merchant of Venice. The Palestinian-Israeli actor has worked on stage and screen for over 50 years; he was awarded the 2014 Jerusalem Film Festival's Achievement Award and the Israel Prize for acting, regarded as the state's highest honour. Makram's credits include international films such as Fatih Akin's The Cut, which was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival 2014, Steven Spielberg's Munich, Natalie Portman's Amos Oz adaptation A Tale of Love and Darkness, and Richard Raymond's Iran-set Desert Dancer, as well as Israeli comedy Sukaryot and Magic Men, for which he won an Israeli Film Academy award for best actor. His extensive theatre and TV credits include touring with Peter Brook's theatre production 11 and 12 and Channel 4's BAFTA winning drama Complicit.

The Merchant of Venice cast also includes: Patsy Ferran (Portia), Nadia Albina (Nerissa); David Ajao (Singer/Citizen of Venice); Jamie Ballard (Antonio); Scarlett Brookes (Jessica); James Corrigan (Lorenzo); Eva Feiler (Lady/Attendant); Owen Findlay (Salerio); Jacob Fortune-Lloyd (Bassanio); Guy Hughes (Singer/Citizen of Venice); Gwilym Lloyd; Rina Mahoney (Portia's Servant/Duke of Venice); Ken Nwosu (Gratiano/Morocco); Brian Protheroe (Aragon); Jay Saighal (Solanio) and Tim Samuels (Launcelot Gobbo/Tubal).

The Merchant of Venice set is directed by Polly Findlay and designed by the renowned German designer Johannes Schütz; the costumes are designed by Anette Guther with lighting by Peter Mumford. The music is by Marc Tritschler with sound by Gareth Fry. Movement is by Aline David.

Watch the trailer for The Merchant of Venice below, and director Polly Findlay talks about the play here!

For cinema listings and booking visit onscreen.rsc.org.uk to sign up for updates and follow the creation of the production online in the run up to the screening.

The Royal Shakespeare Company creates theatre at its best, made in Stratford-upon-Avon and shared around the world.

Made in Stratford-upon-Avon - Seen around the world. Everyone at the RSC - from actors to armourers, musicians to technicians - plays a part in creating the world you see on stage. All our productions begin life at our Stratford workshops and theatres and we bring them to the widest possible audience through our touring, residencies, live broadcasts and online activity. So wherever you experience the RSC, you experience work made in Shakespeare's home town.

We encourage everyone to enjoy a lifelong relationship with Shakespeare and live theatre. We produce an inspirational artistic programme each year, setting Shakespeare in context, alongside the work of his contemporaries and today's writers. We have trained generations of the very best theatre makers and we continue to nurture the talent of the future. We reach many thousands of children and young people annually through our education work, transforming their experiences in the classroom, in performance and online. www.rsc.org.uk

About Picturehouse Cinemas / Picturehouse Entertainment - Picturehouse Entertainment is the distribution arm of Picturehouse Cinemas, the owner and operator of 22 Picturehouse Cinemas and programming agent for a further 42 venues across the UK.

Since its launch in 2010, Picturehouse Entertainment has distributed an eclectic range of theatrical releases, including BAFTA winner The Imposter, Shane Meadows' The Stone Roses: Made Of Stone, Ben Wheatley's simultaneous multi-platform release A Field In England, Jeremy Saulnier's Blue Ruin, the award-winning docudrama 20,000 Days On Earth featuring Nick Cave, Sundance Audience Award winner Dark Horse: The Incredible True Story Of Dream Alliance, and The Connection starring Jean Dujardin.

Picturehouse Entertainment also distributes high-profile alternative content to cinemas throughout the UK and internationally, such as hit productions from the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Bolshoi Ballet and the National Theatre; David Bowie is happening now transmitted from the V&A's sell-out exhibition; Doctor Who's 50th anniversary episode screened in cinemas; and Monty Python Live (mostly), beamed from the O2 to more than 570 cinemas in the UK and 2,000 worldwide. In April 2015 they announced the acquisition of the global rights to Roger Waters The Wall, a groundbreaking 4k Dolby Atmos capture of the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist of all time. Picturehouse Entertainment will be releasing Roger Waters The Wall on 29 September 2015. www.picturehouseentertainment.co.uk