The Misanthrope with Sandra Oh to have cinema release

National Theatre Live has revealed that The Misanthrope, starring Sandra Oh, will play in cinemas.

The piece is adapted by Martin Crimp, whose recent work includes Cyrano de Bergerac, and directed by Indhu Rubasingham. Written in contemporary verse, the adaptation reworks Molière’s play to examine private relationships and public debate in a modern context, with the central figure of Alceste reimagined – in this version, the story centres on Alice, a novelist who rejects what she sees as empty expressions of kindness and respect.

Golden Globe winner Oh will make her National Theatre debut in the production, appearing alongside Paul Chahidi and Abigail Cruttenden. Find out more here.

Oh said: “…I’m so excited that audiences beyond the theatre will get the chance to experience this through National Theatre Live. The National Theatre is one of the great homes of theatre, and NT Live has played such an important role in sharing that work with audiences around the world, extending the life of productions and opening them up to so many more people.”

The Misanthrope will arrive in cinemas from 22 September, after running at the National’s Lyttelton theatre from 16 June to 1 August, with a press night set for 23 June.