National Theatre Live to Broadcast MEDEA, Starring Helen McCrory, Sept 4

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE has announced an international broadcast of the National Theatre of Great Britain's production of Euripides' Greek tragedy MEDEA, in a new version by Ben Power, directed by Carrie Cracknell and starring Helen McCrory in the title role. The production will be broadcast live from the National's Olivier Theatre on Thursday September 4 2014, with varying dates internationally and encore screenings to follow.

Medea is a wife and a mother. For the sake of her husband, Jason, she's left her home and borne two sons in exile. But when he abandons his family for a new life, Medea faces banishment and separation from her children. Cornered, she begs for one day's grace. It's time enough. She exacts an appalling revenge and destroys everything she holds dear.

Helen McCrory's recent theatre work includes The Last of the Haussmans, Blood Wedding and The Seagull for the NT; The Late Middle Classes, Old Times, Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya (Donmar Warehouse); and As You Like It (West End). Her extensive film and television work includes Skyfall, Hugo, Leaving, A Little Chaos, Penny Dreadful, The Queen, Harry Potter, Street Life (RTS & Monte Carlo Best Actress Awards), Anna Karenina, The Jury and North Square (Critics' Circle Award). Carrie Cracknell is an Associate Director at the Royal Court Theatre in London, recently represented at the National Theatre with her production of Blurred Lines. Her celebrated production of Ibsen's A Doll's House played the Brooklyn Academy of Music early this year.

About NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: National Theatre Live is an initiative by the NT to broadcast live performances onto cinema screens around the world. Since its first season, which began in June 2009 with the acclaimed production of Phédre starring Helen Mirren, over 2.5 million people have now experienced the work of National Theatre Live in cinemas worldwide. In addition to the recent record-breaking broadcasts of the award-winning original West End production of War Horse and The Audience starring Helen Mirren as The Queen (winner of two 2013 Olivier Awards, including the Best Actress award for Mirren), recent broadcasts have included the NT's 50th anniversary celebration Live from the National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage, Shakespeare's Hamlet starring Rory Kinnear in the title role, Shakespeare's Othello with Adrian Lester, Shakespeare's Macbeth with Kenneth Branagh and Alex Kingston, Alan Bennett's comedy People with Frances de la Tour, Arthur Wing Pinero's The Magistrate starring John Lithgow in the title role and the theatrical adaptation of Mark Haddon's award-winning novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (winner of seven 2013 Olivier Awards, including Master Card Best New Play). For more information, visit www.NTLive.com.

ALL UPCOMING BROADCASTS: Encore screenings are now ongoing for some for the National Theatre Live's most acclaimed recent productions including the award-winning original West End production of War Horse and Tom Hiddleston and Mark Gatiss in Shakespeare's Coriolanus. Additionally, the theatrical adaptation of Mark Haddon's award-winning novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (winner of seven 2013 Olivier Awards, including Master Card Best New Play) returns to theatres on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Encore dates and cinema locations are added frequently. For listings and to learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.ntlive.com.

KING LEAR by William Shakespeare

· Starring Olivier Award winner Simon Russell Beale in the title role

· Directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes

· Broadcast to cinemas internationally on Thursday, May 1, 2014 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities)

· Summary: Academy Award winner Sam Mendes (James Bond: Skyfall, American Beauty) returns to the National Theatre to direct Simon Russell Beale (Timon of Athens, Collaborators) in the title role of Shakespeare's tragedy. An aged king decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters, according to which of them is most eloquent in praising him. His favourite, Cordelia, says nothing. Lear's world descends into chaos. The Daily Telegraph called this production of King Lear "Genuinely gripping. Simon Russell Beale movingly captures Lear's terrified intimations of madness." And, The Independent said that "Sam Mendes and Simon Russell Beale's production is worth the wait."

A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS by Alan Ayckbourn

· Featuring Olivier Award nominee Nigel Lindsay, Olivier Award nominee Debra Gillett, Gawn Grainger, Amy Marston and Samuel Taylor

· Directed by Adam Penford

· Broadcast to cinemas internationally on Thursday, June 12, 2014 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities)

· Summary: A riotous exposure of entrepreneurial greed by Olivier Award-winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn (Bedroom Farce, A Chorus of Disapproval). A Small Family Business returns to the National Theatre for the first time since its celebrated premiere in 1987, when it won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play. Jack McCracken: a man of principle in a corrupt world. But not for long. Moments after taking over his father-in-law's business he's approached by a private detective armed with some compromising information. Jack's integrity fades away as he discovers his extended family to be thieves and adulterers, looting the business from their suburban homes. Rampant self-interest takes over and comic hysteria builds to a macabre climax.

MEDEA by Euripides in a new version Ben Power

· Starring Olivier Award nominee Helen McCrory

· Directed by Carrie Cracknell

· Broadcast to cinemas internationally on Thursday, September 4, 2014 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities). Venues announced soon. Tickets on sale Thursday, April 17, 2014.

· Summary: Terrible things breed in broken hearts. Medea is a wife and a mother. For the sake of her husband, Jason, she's left her home and borne two sons in exile. But when he abandons his family for a new life, Medea faces banishment and separation from her children. Cornered, she begs for one day's grace. It's time enough. She exacts an appalling revenge and destroys everything she holds dear. Helen McCrory takes the title role in Euripides' powerful tragedy, in a new version by Ben Power, directed by Carrie Cracknell.

NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE is distributed by New York-based BY Experience, Inc. (www.byexperience.net).