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Poll: Should plays be screened on film?

Gemma Arterton has recently said she’s not sure that plays should be broadcast in cinemas

Daisy Bowie-Sell
London London's West End
Gemma Arterton is set to play Nell Gwyn at the Apollo Theatre in February
Gemma Arterton stars in Nell Gwynn at the Apollo Theatre
© Simon Turtle

Gemma Arterton has expressed reservations over the recent trend for screening plays on film.

In an interview with the Radio Times, the actress said she felt 'unsure' about broadcasting live performances of plays. Arterton said: "Now theatre performances are on live at the cinema, which I’m unsure of… A performance is something you were either there for or not – that’s what’s magical about it."

The actress added that styles of acting on stage and screen are completely different. "For my own ego, I hate the idea of doing a theatre performance on screen – it’s a totally different style of acting, and I don’t think they merge," she said.

NT Live, the National Theatre's live theatre cinema broadcast initiative launched in 2009 and has since brought theatre to thousands of people. Live screening offers people who don't have tickets to a show a chance to see it.

Do you think live broadcasting plays on screen is a good thing? Answer our poll below:

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Nell Gwynn runs at the Apollo theatre until 30 April.