Benedict Cumberbatch News

During this time when productions all over the world have been put on pause, we are coming together to celebrate plays that have left their mark on theater history. This week we will be focusing on the plays of Tracy Letts. Today's play, August: Osage County!

National Theatre Live makes its celebrated 2011 production available free for online platforms but, rather like Frankenstein's Creature itself, its reviving isn't without its issues.

Back in 2011, it was nigh-on impossible to get a ticket for the National Theatre's production of Frankenstein. You may be forgiven for thinking the fact that Danny Boyle was directing the show was enough of a draw, but the news that Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch were not only starring in it, but also alternating the roles of Frankenstein and The Creature, sent fans into a frenzy. As part of the hugely successful run of National Theatre At Home shows, we are now gifted with seeing both versions again.

Today's top stories: Nathan Lane, Megan Hilty, Kristin Chenoweth, Kelli O'Hara, Aaron Tveit, Idina Menzel and more announced their nominations for the Drama League's 2020 Gratitude Awards!

The National Theatre has announced the next two productions that will be streamed live on YouTube every Thursday at 7PM BST via the National Theatre's YouTube channel as part of National Theatre at Home; the new initiative to bring content to the public accessed from their homes during coronavirus.

This Spotlight focuses on Martin Thompson, a self-proclaimed recovering soap opera actor who often graces stages as an a?oeOfficial Sherlock Holmes Performera?? and now frequents the stage or directs at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills as well as in films and on TV series. And as a distinguished member of the acting faculty at The New York Film Academy, Martin now teaches an Acting for Film class online. Read on to find out more about this talented actor who recently directed an outstanding production of The Manor at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.

For the first time, North America's leading streaming service for television from Britain and beyond, AMC Networks' Acorn TV will be available in the UK starting Wednesday, April 29. With more than one million paid subscribers in the U.S., Acorn TV is the ultimate destination for high-quality, world class dramas, mysteries and comedies from around the world without advertising. Acorn TV UK will be available in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Starting April 29, consumers can visit acorn.tv to subscribe and watch Acorn TV online with an extended 30-day free trial for a limited time. The service will also be available on your favorite devices, Roku, Fire TV, Android and Apple mobile and Apple TV and coming soon to Amazon Channels and Apple TV Channels. Acorn TV will add exclusive new programmes every subsequent Monday, and all programmes will include English subtitles. After the free trial, Acorn TV will be £4.99 GPB per month or £49.99 per year.

Reading play texts is an enjoyable way of attaining the theatre fix we're all feeling deprived of during these unprecedented times. It got us thinking about some screenplays and novels that could make for interesting stage adaptations.

Casting rumors are continuing to circulate regarding the upcoming film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

The 19th annual Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, today announced its 2020 Shorts Program lineup. Setting a record with over 6,100 submissions, the final program roster includes 64 diverse and captivating short films from 20 countries around the globe, and features 46 world premieres, including DreamWorks Animation's new animated short, To Gerard. The short films will be presented in 10 distinct competition programs which include five narrative, four documentary, and one animation program. For the fourth consecutive year, 40 percent of the selections are directed by female filmmakers. Queen Collective by Procter & Gamble in partnership with Queen Latifah, Flavor Unit Entertainment and Tribeca Studios is back, a program dedicated to supporting gender and racial equality behind the camera. The 2020 shorts lineup is programmed by Sharon Badal and Ben Thompson. The 2020 Tribeca Film Festival takes place April 15 - April 26.

Letters Live, a celebration of the enduring power of literary correspondence performed by a group of renowned talent, will return to The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street) Sunday, April 19 at 7:30 pm and Monday, April 20 at 7:30 pm in support of PEN America. A sensation since its 2013 London debut, Letters Live played to sold-out audiences at The Town Hall in 2018 and recently performed to a sold-out crowd at London's legendary Royal Albert Hall.

1917, the critically acclaimed, multi-award winning action spectacle including Academy Award® winner for Best Cinematography arrives on Digital March 10, 2020 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-rayTM and DVD March 24, 2020 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.  Hailed as “One of the most extraordinary cinematic achievements of the year” (JoBlo), the universally acclaimed film combines groundbreaking film making, memorable performances, and an unforgettable insight into the human experience against the shattering background of war. Additionally an Oscar® winner for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Mixing, 1917 is “a new war movie classic” (NY Post).

Described by The Times as 'a gloriously inept radical anorak', bedsit anarchist, Alan Parker: Urban Warrior returns with the old gold, the old truths and some new truths (based on the old truths). The Alan Parker Urban Warrior Farewell Tour reaches the Southbank Centre's Purcell Room on Friday 17th April.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming 'Doctor Strange' sequel for Marvel, called 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' is getting a new writer. Michael Waldron, the head writer of Marvel's upcoming Disney+ series Loki, has been tapped to work on the film.

Variety reports that 'Spider-Man' director Sam Raimi is in talks to direct the upcoming 'Doctor Strange' sequel for Marvel.

The Olivier Award nominated stage production of The Tiger Who Came to Tea today announces an 8-week summer season in the West End for 2020, returning to Theatre Royal Haymarket following its hugely popular 2019 Christmas run. A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood OBE, based on the classic tale by the late Judith Kerr OBE, The Tiger Who Came to Tea will open in London on Thursday 16 July, playing until 6 September 2020. This will be the production's 7th West End run and marks its 12th year on stage.

Amazon Studios today announced the first group of series regulars set to star in the new Amazon Original series based on stories from the iconic 'The Lord of the Rings' novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. Newly revealed cast members including Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Budge, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, and Daniel Weyman. Production will begin in February.

 Emelin Theate for the Performing Arts has announced its lineup of events and artists in February! Check out the full lineup below:

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Zachary Levi has joined the cast of legal drama 'Prisoner 760.'

SiriusXM announced today year-end and decade specialty programming across its music, talk and entertainment programming platforms as well as exclusive content only available on the SiriusXM app.