Shakespeare's Globe London Cinema Series To Launch This Summer

NCM Fathom, Globe Theatre and Arts Alliance Media present Shakespeare's Globe London Cinema Series, an exclusive four-part in-theater series of the most classic of Shakespeare titles in U.S. movie theaters nationwide this summer and fall. Captured in 2010 from the prestigious and internationally renowned Globe Theatre in London- Shakespeare's theatrical London home - the series will kick off in June with The Merry Wives of Windsor followed by Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2 in August and closing in September with Henry VIII. Each performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. local time and will include a special 20-minute historical perspective on the Globe, the reconstruction process, the work of the Globe today, and a behind-the-scenes look at each production with interviews from the actors and creative team involved.

Tickets for Shakespeare's Globe London Cinema Series are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. For a complete list of theater locations, prices and additional information, visit the Fathom website (theaters and participants are subject to change). Watch the official event trailer here.

Shakespeare's Globe London Cinema Series schedule is as follows:
§ The Merry Wives of Windsor - Monday, June 27 - One of the great comedies by William Shakespeare, this hilarious tale of love and marriage, jealousy and revenge, class and wealth is Shakespeare's only play to deal with the contemporary Elizabethan era English middle class life. It was first published in 1602, although it was believed to have been written prior to 1597.

§ Henry IV Part 1 - Monday, August 1 - The second play in Shakespeare's tetralogy dealing with the reigns of Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V, Part 1 depicts a span of history beginning with Hotspur's battle at Homildon and ends with the defeat of the rebels at Shrewsbury in 1403. This work of honor, rebellion and the struggle for power is thought to have been written no later than 1597. From the start it has been an extremely popular play both with the public and the critics with Roger Allam winning the 2011Olivier Award for Best Actor for his role as Falstaff.

§ Henry IV Part 2 - Thursday, August 18 - The third piece of a tetralogy, preceded by Richard II and Henry IV Part 1, this work is followed by Henry V. This play picks up where Henry IV Part 1 ended and focuses on Prince Hal's journey toward kingship. The two plays are often perceived as a dissection of father-and-son relationships, with Falstaff as a wayward father substitute for the young Prince Hal, who is estranged from his own dying, guilt-ridden father, Henry IV. It's also a drama about an old England that, like Falstaff himself, is riddled with ills, in decline and in urgent need of rebirth. It is believed to have been written between 1596 and 1599. Allam received the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Actor for his role as Falstaff in Henry IV Part 2.

§ Henry VIII - Thursday, September 15 - This work is based upon the life of Henry VIII of England. During a performance of this play at London's Globe Theatre in 1613, a canon used for special effects ignited the theatre's thatched roof and beams, burning the original structure to the ground. This play was famous in its own day as Shakespeare's most sumptuous and spectacular play, and this production presents a gorgeous pageant of masques and royal ceremony.

Shakespeare's Globe London Cinema Series will be broadcast in more than 260 movie theaters across the country through NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network.

The Globe Theatre is known as Shakespeare's theatrical London home. The original open-roof theatre, made of wood-and-thatch was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company and was destroyed by fire in 1613. American actor and director, Sam Wanamaker, worked tirelessly to raise funds for the theatre's reconstruction. His efforts paid off and a modern reconstruction of The Globe opened in 1997 approximately 200 yards from the site of the original theatre.

"NCM Fathom continues to offer audiences the finest in performing arts experiences in their local movie theaters," said Dan Diamond, vice president of NCM Fathom. "This international collaboration will showcase some of Shakespeare's finest works from the legendary Globe Theatre in London."
For more information about this NCM Fathom Shakespeare's Globe London Cinema Series event, go here. For artwork/photos, click here.

About National CineMedia (NCM)
NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation's largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM's theater advertising network covers 170 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 17,200 screens (16,100 digital). During 2010, over 680 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in NCM's network (including Consolidated Theatres, Rave Cinemas, Coming Attractions and Digiplex Destinations). The NCM Fathom Events broadcast network is comprised of over 600 locations in 163 Designated Market Areas® (all of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 43 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 48.6% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.nationalcinemedia.com or www.ncm.com or www.FathomEvents.com.

The Globe
From modest beginnings, Shakespeare's Globe has become one of the most popular visitor destinations in the UK, at the heart of the regeneration of London's Bankside. Shakespeare's Globe is a charity and continues to operate without annual government funding. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dominic Dromgoole, the theatre season plays in repertory from April to October annually, and has gained an international reputation for performance excellence. In 2010, the Globe sold over 473,000 theatre tickets, achieved a record 91% of full capacity attendance across the season (the highest in the Globe's 13 year history), toured productions all over the UK, Europe and North America, and premiered two major new plays.

Globe Education, is one of the largest arts education departments in the country, and each year, more than 100,000 people of all ages and nationalities participate in its programme of public events, workshops and courses. Shakespeare's Globe Tour and Exhibition is open all year round and is the world's only permanent exhibition dedicated to Shakespeare's theatrical career. For more information visit www.shakespearesglobe.com

Arts Alliance Media
Arts Alliance Media, based in London with offices in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Berlin, is Europe's leading provider of digital distribution services, committed to building the largest digital cinema delivery network in Europe, and to supply digital content - films, alternative programming and live events.

AAM provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions encompassing equipment selection, financing and integration, operator training, installation and 24/7 helpdesk support, and content management and delivery. Currently, AAM has over 3000 screens signed up, and has Virtual Print Fee agreements in place with five Hollywood studios. All screens installed are DCI compliant, and the company's strategic partnership with Arqiva Satellite & Media allows exhibitors to benefit from satellite delivery of alternative content events and features.

The company's in-house digital cinema lab has mastered over 1000 digital titles to date. AAM also sources, manages and promotes 'Alternative Content' programming for cinemas. AAM was founded in 2003 by Thomas Høegh. More information can be found at www.artsalliancemedia.com

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