NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE

In cinemas September 10

Matthew Warchus directs Andrew Scott (BBC’s Sherlock, Fleabag) in Noël Coward’s provocative comedy Present Laughter.

As he prepares to embark on an overseas tour, star actor Garry Essendine’s colourful life is in danger of spiralling out of control. Engulfed by an escalating identity crisis as his many and various relationships compete for his attention, Garry’s few remaining days at home are a chaotic whirlwind of love, sex, panic and soul-searching.

Captured live from The Old Vic in London, Present Laughter is a giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.

★★★★★   “Andrew Scott’s revelatory performance shows why Noel Coward is hailed a genius” Telegraph
★★★★★   “The show belongs to Andrew Scott” The Times

In cinemas October 29

See Olivier Award-winners, Lindsay Duncan (Birdman, About Time) and Alex Jennings (The Lady in the Van, The Crown), in this brand new play from Simon Woods.

It’s a summer’s morning in 1988 and Tory politician Robin has returned home to the idyllic Cotswold house he shares with his wife of 30 years, Diana; the picture of a perfect marriage. But all is not as blissful as it seems. Diana has a stinking hangover, a fox is destroying the garden, and secrets are being dug up all over the place. As the day draws on, what starts as gentle ribbing and the familiar rhythms of marital scrapping quickly turns to blood-sport.

Don’t miss this witty and devastating portrait of the governing class, directed by Simon Godwin (NT Live: Antony & Cleopatra, Twelfth Night).

★★★★   “Touching and illuminating all at once” The Times
★★★★   “Engrossing and incisive. Performances simply take the breath away.” WhatsOnStage

In cinemas November 26

James McAvoy (X-Men, Atonement) returns to the stage in an inventive new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, filmed for cinemas from the West End in London.

Fierce with a pen and notorious in combat, Cyrano almost has it all – if only he could win the heart of his true love Roxane. There’s just one big problem: he has a nose as huge as his heart. Will a society engulfed by narcissism get the better of Cyrano – or can his mastery of language set Roxane’s world alight?

Edmond Rostand’s masterwork is adapted by Martin Crimp, with direction by Jamie Lloyd (Betrayal). This classic play will be brought to life with linguistic ingenuity to celebrate Cyrano’s powerful and resonant resistance against overwhelming odds.

★★★★★   “James McAvoy gives a stunningly powerful performance in this piece of pure theatre” Evening Standard
★★★★★   “Mesmerising. Glittering. An unforgettable evening” The Times