Benedict Cumberbatch's HAMLET Returns to Cinemas this October with National Theatre Live

Benedict Cumberbatch plays the title role in Shakespeare's Hamlet, which returns to cinemas around the UK on Thursday 5th October as part of National Theatre Live.

Originally staged at the Barbican Theatre in August 2015 and broadcast to cinemas in October of that year, this critically-acclaimed production became the fastest selling show in London theatre history for its twelve week sold out run in London. It is currently the most-viewed National Theatre Live broadcast to date with a global audience of nearly 800,000 people.

As a country arms itself for war, a family tears itself apart. Forced to avenge his father's death but paralysed by the task ahead, Hamlet rages against the impossibility of his predicament, threatening both his sanity and the security of the state.

Directed by Olivier award-winner Lyndsey Turner (Chimerica, Posh) and produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, the cast also includes Leo Bill (The White Queen, Taboo), Siân Brooke (Sherlock), Anastasia Hille (The Fear, The Missing), Ciarán Hinds (Game of Thrones, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Doctor Strange) and Jim Norton (Father Ted, Straw Dogs).

Since launching in 2009, National Theatre Live broadcasts have been seen by an audience of over 6.5 million people at 2500 venues in 60 countries. The first season began in June 2009 with the acclaimed production of Phédre starring Oscar winner Helen Mirren. Recent broadcasts include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead from The Old Vic Theatre with Daniel Radcliffe and Josh McGuire, Hedda Gabler with Ruth Wilson, Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart in No Man's Land, Benedict Cumberbatch in Hamlet, Tom Hiddleston in Coriolanus, Gillian Anderson in A Streetcar Named Desire, James Corden in One Man, Two Guvnors, Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch in Frankenstein and War Horse. Sky Arts is the UK sponsor for National Theatre Live.

Hamlet returns to cinemas across The UK as part of National Theatre Live on Thursday 5th October including at the Barbican where the production was originally staged. To find your nearest cinema go to http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk.