Two new National Theatre Live productions are to be captured in ultra-detailed Sony 4K and projected with the highest picture quality to audiences across Vue Cinemas’ 84-site estate.The autumn shows mark the
next step in a year-long three-way
partnership between National Theatre Live, Vue Entertainment and Sony Digital Cinema
4K – bringing world-class theatrical experiences to Vue customers with
unsurpassed 4K clarity.
The Beaux’ Stratagem: shot and screened exclusively by
Vue in Sony 4KSimon Godwin directs George Farquhar’s colourful
18
th century comedy
The Beaux’ Stratagem. The production will be shot in 4K and then delivered
for exclusive ‘encore’ screenings to Vue customers around the country as a 4K
DCP (Digital Cinema Package). This will allow audiences to fully appreciate the
expanded colour space captured by Sony’s
F55 4K camera – giving cinemagoers a breathtakingly lifelike experience with
richer, more vibrant on-screen tones and textures than conventional HD
transmission.
“
The Beaux’ Strategem stood out as a perfect choice for capturing in
4K” notes National Theatre Live Producer, Emma Keith. “From the intricate
multi-layered set to the voluptuously colourful costumes, there’s a huge amount
of on-stage detail that 4K can capture”.
Hamlet: world’s first multi-site live 4K transmission
to multiple Vue cinemas on 15th OctoberDirected by Lyndsey Turner and produced by Sonia
Friedman Productions, October’s production of
Hamlet sees Academy Award® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch take the
title role in Shakespeare’s great tragedy. In a major event cinema breakthrough,
the 15
th October performance at the Barbican will be transmitted
live in 4K for exclusive presentation in selected Vue cinemas around the UK.
It’s the first time that any theatrical production has been delivered live to
multiple locations for simultaneous 4K projection. Transmitted with 4K
resolution at 50 frames per second, the live broadcast will ensure that
cinemagoers enjoy smooth, realistic reproduction of the action on stage.
“This eagerly-awaited production has been the
fastest-selling show in London theatre’s history”, says Emma Keith. “It’s
wonderful that we have the opportunity to future-proof
Hamlet in 4K, giving the widest possible audience a chance to
experience this landmark production – both live and after the event.”
4K reveals every detail of world-class dramaThe Beaux’ Stratagem and
Hamlet will both be captured
using Sony
F-Series 4K cameras. With four times the
resolution of Full HD, the immersive clarity and detail of 4K will reveal the
subtlest nuance of every performance as it’s never been seen before.
“It’s great for National
Theatre Live to be leading the field in capturing our productions in 4K” says
Emma Keith. “The detail with which audiences can see the costumes and sets is
outstanding, that’s great news for cinema audiences. And these are set to be
two spectacular productions”.
Audiences at Vue Cinemas around the country
will exclusively be able to experience the on-stage action in 4K, as if they’re
right there in the auditorium. Screened with Vue’s fleet of Sony
Digital Cinema projectors, these special 4K showings
will bring both NT productions to life with unsurpassed detail, clarity and
contrast. It’s an ideal opportunity for theatre fans to enjoy the immersive
spectacle of world-class drama at their local cinema.
This autumn’s presentations
build on the success in March of
Behind the Beautiful Forevers – the first NT Live production covered by the agreement that was recorded
and screened exclusively to Vue customers in Sony 4K.
“Presented in Sony 4K, these two visually
sumptuous productions push the rapidly-evolving boundaries of event cinema even
further” says David McIntosh, Vice President, Sony Digital Cinema 4K Solutions
for Europe and the Americas. “At Sony we understand the power of connecting
viewers with wonderful emotional experiences. It’s a great privilege to be
closely involved with partners of the calibre of NT Live and Vue Entertainment
in creating something very special for audiences.
“October’s live 4K transmission of
Hamlet to multiple venues will be yet
another world first in event cinema from Sony”, notes McIntosh. “Building on our
unique partnership, we’re already looking at more innovations that will raise
the bar further in terms of picture quality and the overall experience for more
cinema-goers.”
Kevin Styles, Managing Director (UK &
Ireland) of Vue Entertainment. “At Vue we place entertainment and digital
innovation at the heart of our services and we are delighted to bring this exclusive
world first real-time 4K transmission to our customers. Importantly, those
customers who wouldn’t normally be able to access such fantastic theatrical
productions can now not only enjoy the thrill of live events but can do so in
the most realistic and technically innovative way.”
