Live screenings of classic plays

Live broadcasts of major classic opera productions have become popular, thanks mostly to the work of New York’s Met in transmitting its shows to cinemas worldwide on a regular basis.

Theatre companies have gotten in on the act more recently and next week the Eye Cinema in the City’s Wellpark will screen two major productions from England. They are the Royal Shakespeare’s Theatre Company’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona and National Theatre’s Medea.

The RSC’s new production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, which is currently playing in Stratford-upon-Avon will receive a live screening at the Eye next Wednesday, September 3, at 7pm.

Simon Goodwin directs this play, with Mark Arends and Pearl Chandra cast in the lead roles. This romantic comedy takes the audience from the urban worlds of Verona and Milan to the wildness of the forest where, it seems, anything can happen.

The following evening, next Thursday, September 4 at 7pm, NT Live’s Medea will be broadcast live from London. Helen McCrory returns to the National to take the title role in Euripides’ powerful Greek tragedy.

This is a new version by Ben Power with music written by Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp. The cast also includes Michaela Coel, Danny Sapani and Cath Whitefield.

Medea is a wife and a mother. For the sake of her husband, Jason, she has left her home and borne two sons in exile.

But when he abandons his family for a new life, she faces banishment and separation from her children.

Cornered, she begs for one day’s grace. It’s time enough to allow her exact an appalling revenge and destroy everything she holds dear.

■ Tickets are selling well for both shows. They cost €20/€10 for The Two Gentlemen of Verona and €15 and €9.50 for Medea. To book,  log onto www.eyecinema.ie   or call 091 780078.