'War Horse' Newly Added to NT Live Broadcasts

EVANSTON, Ill. --- The epic production of National Theatre’s “War Horse,” based on the novel by English author, poet, playwright and librettist and 2003-05 Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo, is the latest addition to a series of hit London plays that will be broadcast this season at Northwestern University. Single tickets to “War Horse” go on sale today (Sept. 27).

Single tickets to all National Theatre Live (NT Live) broadcasts are on sale through the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or online.

In addition to the previously scheduled 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 broadcast of Nick Dear’s “Frankenstein,” a second broadcast of “Frankenstein” has been added at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13. For more on “War Horse” and “Frankenstein,” visit National Theatre Live online. 

Now in its third year at TIC, the National Theatre Live broadcast series offers Evanston-area audiences the opportunity to experience the best of British theatre.

“War Horse” -- a moving story of one horse’s experience in the deadly chaos of the First World War -- is among eight remaining NT Live broadcasts presented by the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern. 

As part of the National Theatre’s 50th anniversary celebration this autumn, National Theatre Live will present encore screenings worldwide of some of its latest, acclaimed recent productions. They include Nick Dear’s “Frankenstein,” based on the novel by Mary Shelley, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller in the alternating role of the creature; Shakespeare’s ”Hamlet” and Alan Bennett’s “The Habit of Art.”

Remaining broadcasts at Northwestern include: Shakespeare’s “Othello,” Nov. 5; two reprisal screenings of “Frankenstein,” Nov. 12 (Benedict Cumberbatch is cast as the creature) and Nov. 13 (Jonny Lee Miller portrays the creature); “Macbeth,” Nov. 19; a reprise screening of “The Habit of Art,” Dec. 10; a reprise of “Hamlet,” Jan. 14; “Coriolanus,” March 4; and the newly added broadcast of “War Horse,” April 1. 

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE 2013-14

Single tickets to each of the following NT Live broadcasts now on sale are $20 for the general public, $16 for Northwestern faculty and staff (in-person or phone orders only) or $10 for full-time students with valid IDs. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more. Call the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282. For more information, visit TIC online.  

All broadcasts will take place at the Josephine Louis Theatre, 20 Arts Circle Drive, on Northwestern’s Evanston campus.

“Othello,” by William Shakespeare, directed by Nicholas Hytner, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. The National Theatre’s new production of Shakespeare’s celebrated play is about the destructive power of jealousy. Olivier Award-winning actor Adrian Lester (“Henry V” at the National Theatre, BBC’s Hustle) takes the title role. Fellow Olivier Award-winner Rory Kinnear (“The Last of the Haussmans,” “James Bond: Skyfall”) plays the duplicitous Iago.  

“Frankenstein” (reprise), by Nick Dear, directed by Danny Boyle, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13. National Theatre Live’s 2011 broadcasts are part of the theatre's 50th anniversary celebration. Oscar-winner Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting,” “Slumdog Millionaire”) directs a sensational production with Benedict Cumberbatch (“Star Trek: Into Darkness,” BBC’s “Sherlock”) and Jonny Lee Miller (“Trainspotting,” CBS’s “Elementary”) in alternating roles as Frankenstein and his creation. The Nov. 12 broadcast will feature Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of the Creature and Jonny Lee Miller in the role on Nov. 13.

“Macbeth,” by William Shakespeare, directed by Rob Ashford, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19. NT Live broadcasts Manchester International Festival’s electrifying production with Kenneth Branagh (“My Week With Marilyn,” “Hamlet”) as Macbeth, and Alex Kingston (“Doctor Who,” “ER”) as Lady Macbeth. Directed by Olivier and Tony award-winning Rob Ashford (“Anna Christie” at the Donmar Warehouse, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” on Broadway) and Branagh, this production unfolds within the walls of a deconsecrated Manchester church.

“The Habit of Art” (reprise), by Alan Bennett, directed by Nicholas Hytner, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. Benjamin Britten, sailing uncomfortably close to the wind with his new opera, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend, W. H. Auden. During this imagined meeting, their first in 25 years, they are observed and interrupted by their future biographer and a young man from the local bus station. Featuring Richard Griffiths, Alex Jennings and Frances de la Tour.

“Hamlet” (reprise), by William Shakespeare, directed by Nicholas Hytner, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14. Following his celebrated performances at the National Theatre in “Burnt by the Sun,” “The Revenger's Tragedy,” “Philistines” and “The Man of Mode,” Rory Kinnear plays Hamlet in a dynamic new production. Kinnear is joined by Clare Higgins (Gertrude), Patrick Malahide (Claudius), David Calder (Polonius), James Laurenson (Ghost/Player King) and Ruth Negga (Ophelia).

“Coriolanus,” by William Shakespeare, directed by Josie Rourke, 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 4. NT Live broadcasts the Donmar Warehouse’s production of “Coriolanus,” a tragedy about political manipulation and revenge, with Tom Hiddleston (“The Avengers,” “War Horse” (film), BBC's “The Hollow Crown”) in the title role and Mark Gatiss (“Season's Greetings” at the National Theatre, BBC's “Sherlock”) as Menenius. When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home, too, and Coriolanus must confront the march of realpolitik and the voice of an angry people.

“War Horse,” 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford, “War Horse” takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. Filled with stirring music and songs, this powerful, moving drama is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on stage. 

National Theatre Live is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. NT Live is proudly sponsored by AVIVA. The Theatre and Interpretation Center’s National Theatre Live broadcasts are sponsored by a generous grant from The Alumnae of Northwestern University.

Single tickets to all broadcasts are on sale now through the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or online.