National Theatre Live To Broadcast Branagh-Led MACBETH in Manila, 10/22

Manila, Philippines, October 14, 2013--National Theatre Live, U.K.'s National Theatre's cinema screenings of its live performances across the U.K. and the world, in cooperation with the British Embassy in Manila and SM Aura Premier Cinema in Bonifacio Global City, will hold a special screening of Manchester International Festival's new production of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth," starring Kenneth Branagh playing the title role, on Tuesday, October 22, at 6 p.m.

Tickets (PhP400) are available at smtickets.com.

Branagh, whose last Shakespeare play was "Richard III" at Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England in 2002, co-directs "Macbeth" with Oliver and Tony-Award winner Rob Ashford. Alex Kingston ("ER," "Doctor Who") plays Lady Macbeth opposite Branagh's Macbeth.

The special screening kicks off this year's U.K.-Philippines Friendship week, which in turn is part of the "This is Great Britain" festival: a five-month-long festival featuring movie premieres; a concert starring the all-boy English vocal group Libera; and trade shows, among others.

"I'm delighted to be able to help bring The National Theatre performances to the Philippines. It is a great way to help celebrate UK-Philippines Friendship day. London has a number of wonderful theatre companies but, for those not able to see the performances in person, the performances to be broadcast in Manila are the next best thing," said Chargé d'Affaires Trevor Lewis in a statement.

National Theatre Live's "Hamlet," "Frankenstein" (Reprise 2013), "The Habit of Art," "Coriolanus" and the Olivier and Tony Award-winning play "War Horse" are expected to follow the screening of "Macbeth" in Manila.

Of note, Branagh and Asford will transfer their production of "Macbeth," commissioned by Park Avenue Armory and Manchester International Festival, to Wade Thompson Drill Hall at Park Avenue Armory in New York next year, June 2014.

Photo by Blake Gardner

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