Penelope Wilton News

National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage is an anniversary celebration that features the best British actors for a night of unforgettable performances broadcast Live in HD to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, November 30, at 6:30 p.m. Appearing in this once-in-a-lifetime event, directed by the National Theatre's current Director Nicholas Hytner, will be award-winning actors Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith and many more. Special guest is Richard Pilbrow (pictured), Ridgefield resident and founder of Theatre Projects Consultants, who will be on stage (in person) to speak about National Theatre's 50th anniversary and about The Ridgefield Playhouse, which he helped renovate. Pilbrow was voted one of the 50 most powerful people in the entertainment technology industry. For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all 10 in the series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. -- Photos courtesy of National Theatre Live

According to Deadline, Fox Searchlight is going after Richard Gere for its planned sequel to the 2011 hit THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL.

Today, October 22, 2013, marks the official 50th anniversary of the National Theatre of Great Britain. The National Theatre first opened its doors in 1963 at the Old Vic, under Laurence Olivier. 800 productions later, they are marking their half-century with a short season celebrating the remarkable people and plays that have made the NT one of the most cherished and creative of great British institutions.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the National Theatre presents National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage, bringing together the best British actors for a unique evening of unforgettable performances, broadcast live from London to theatres and cinemas around the world.

Fox Searchlight has released the first trailer for, inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle. Directed by BAFTA Award winner Amma Asante and written by Misan Sagay, Belle features Gugu Mbatha-Raw in her first starring role along with Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, Penelope Wilton, Miranda Richardson, Tom Felton and Matthew Goode. The film was produced by Damian Jones. The film is scheduled to be released in Spring 2014. Check out the trailer below!

Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch and Christopher Eccleston have joined the starry cast for the National Theatre of Great Britain's 50th anniversary celebration "LIVE FROM THE NATIONAL THEATRE: 50 YEARS ON STAGE," directed by Nicholas Hytner. This special event will be broadcast by National Theatre Live to cinemas internationally on Saturday, November 2, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities). From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to The History Boys, from Antony and Cleopatra to Angels in America, from Guys and Dolls to London Road, this will be a thrilling evening of live performance and rare glimpses from the archive, featuring many of the most celebrated actors who have performed on their stages over the past five decades.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE has just announced a live broadcast of the National Theatre of Great Britain's 50th anniversary celebration 'National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage,' to cinemas around the world. From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to The History Boys, from Antony and Cleopatra to Angels in America, from Guys and Dolls to London Road, this will be a thrilling evening of live performance and rare glimpses from the archive, featuring many of the most celebrated actors who have performed on their stages over the past five decades and directed by Nicholas Hytner. The celebration will be broadcast to cinemas internationally and in the UK on BBC Two on Saturday, November 2, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities).

The Daily Mail reports that Simon Russell Beale, Frances de la Tour, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Derek Jacobi, Alex Jennings, Rory Kinnear, Adrian Lester, Anna Maxwell Martin, Andrew Scott, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton and more will be joining NATIONAL THEATRE: 50 YEARS ON STAGE on November 2, 2013.

Michael Gambon and Peter Egan will star at the Edinburgh International Festival in Gate Theatre Dublin productions of Beckett this summer. Beckett at the Festival is a season of theatre performances and film showings at the 2013 Edinburgh International Festival 2013 focussing on the work of Samuel Beckett.

Fox Searchlight Pictures Presidents Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula announced today that the company has acquired most worldwide rights including North America and the United Kingdom to Belle.

Michael Gambon and Peter Egan will star at the Edinburgh International Festival in Gate Theatre Dublin productions of Beckett this summer. Beckett at the Festival is a season of theatre performances and film showings at the 2013 Edinburgh International Festival 2013 focussing on the work of Samuel Beckett.

Acclaimed actress Judi Dench is not only amazing on screen, but amazing at word games, specifically the game Bananagrams.

Almeida Theatre Cast members past and present were out in force to celebrate Michael Attenborough's 11 years as Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre. On Saturday 13 April, the Almeida Theatre hosted a party at Middle Temple Hall, the very place that saw the first performance of Twelfth Night, to give Michael an amazing send-off. Check out the photos below!

According to the Daily Mail, Rafe Spall is in final talks to join Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig in Harold Pinter's BETRAYAL, directed by Mike Nichols (Death of a Salesman), for a limited run on Broadway beginning in October 2013 at the Barrymore Theatre. BETRAYAL will begin rehearsals in August.

Surprise recent Brit hit THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is getting a sequel and screenwriter Ol Parker has confirmed that it is more than merely likely that multi-award-winning acting icon Maggie Smith will return in her role of Muriel Donnelly for the next chapter.

According to the Daily Mail, Bond star Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz are in talks to star on Broadway in Harold Pinter's BETRAYAL for a limited run this fall.

Change arrives in a big way for several key characters on the next episode of PBS's DOWNTON ABBEY. A yearly cricket match with the village sees old scores settled and new plots hatched while Lady Violet's niece Rose arrives. Get a sneak peek below!

Following the shocking and sorrowful events of last week's episode of DOWNTON ABBEY, PBS presents a montage of the the most sweet, tender and moving moments featuring Sybil and Tom. Check it out below and be sure to have plenty of kleenex handy!

Below find out the cast's reaction to the the shocking and sorrowful events of last week's episode. (SPOILER ALERT: Proceed at your own risk if you have not yet viewed this episode).