Theatre News

Maxine Peake's Hamlet broadcast to cinemas as Globe launches online player

It’s been a good week for fans of Shakespeare on screen

The presence of Shakespeare's plays on screens large and small is set to grow wider with news that Maxine Peake's cross-gender Hamlet will be shown in cinemas next March, while the Globe has released over 50 productions for iPlayer-style streaming.

Peake's Hamlet, recently seen at the Manchester Royal Exchange helmed by artistic director Sarah Frankcom, will open in approximately 200 cinemas in the UK in March 2015.

It ended its run in Manchester on 25 October, with over 35,000 people having seen the production. But now thousands more will have the opportunity.

The same applies to Shakespeare's Globe's back catalogue, with news of the launch of its Globe Player, making it the first theatre to create its own dedicated video player.

Productions available to rent or buy include Twelfth Night starring Stephen Fry and Mark Rylance, Henry V with Jamie Parker and The Taming of the Shrew featuring Samantha Spiro.

Artistic director Dominic Dromgoole said: "Globe Player will allow us to reach brand new audiences and to make access to our productions simple and seamless for anyone with the internet."

The Player also features clips from former WhatsOnStage bloggers Dan Poole and Giles Terera's documentary Muse of Fire, including interviews with Jude Law and Judi Dench.

"Globe Player's unique and international functionality means we can ensure that the widest possible demographic of people can enjoy these interviews," said Poole and Terera.

To view the content now, visit www.globeplayer.tv