The Royal Shakespeare Company are working with Picturehouse Entertainment and Ravensbourne College on a new programme, Live from Stratford-upon-Avon, that will see the Company's productions streamed free into schools and screened in over 100 cinemas around the country. They will also be available in North America, Australia, Japan and Northern Europe.
The first production for live broadcast in this programme is Richard II, starring David Tennant and directed by RSC Artistic Director, Gregory Doran. Other casting includes Nigel Lindsay as Bollingbroke, Michael Pennington as John of Gaunt and Oliver Ford Davies as the Duke of York.
This production opens in Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter and will be filmed using multiple cameras during a November performance. The two further productions scheduled to be filmed for the programme will be announced in September.
The cinema and school screenings are supported by a series of short films online, live footage on the night, a live studio link-up and classroom resources.
Gregory Doran, said "We want to bring the work we make in Stratford-upon-Avon to the widest possible audience. Taking our productions live into cinemas and direct into schools is the next logical step."
For cinema listings and booking, and school streaming visit www.onscreen.rsc.org.uk.
Richard II plays the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 10 October to 16 November and then transfers into the Barbican Theatre, London, from 7 December until 25 January 2014.
For further information, visit www.rsc.org.uk and/or www.barbican.org.uk. There is very limited availability for tickets at both venues.