Griffin's production of Emerald City (photo credit: Brett Boardman).
Australian National Theatre Live, a new venture that will produce filmed versions of popular Australian theatrical productions for distribution in cinemas, will launch in April.
Off the back of the success of the UK’s National Theatre Live in local cinemas, Australian National Theatre Live will launch with the Griffin Theatre Company’s production of David Williamson’s Emerald City.
The production from 2014 will receive its cinema premiere in Sydney and Melbourne, followed by screenings across the country.
Later this year, ANT Live will screen productions of Mary Rachel Brown’s multi-award winning The Dapto Chaser, Sydney Theatre Company’s Wharf Revue: Celebrating 15 Years and Geoffrey Atherden’s Liberty Equality Fraternity.
“Australia produces world-class theatre and Australian National Theatre Live will give audiences across Australia the opportunity to experience some of the best productions available – good theatre will no longer just be for metropolitan audiences” said ANT Live's Grant Dodwell.
“I’ve always had a passion for theatre and being able to bring the experience of watching live theatre to screen audiences wherever they are, is an exciting opportunity. I’ve toured plays around the country and I know there are theatre-loving audiences out there that just don’t get the chance to see our great productions. ANT Live means many more people will get to see plays that usually have a very short season in metropolitan centres.”
“Our ultimate aim is to stimulate a greater interest in live theatre, to encourage and promote writers, performers and practitioners, and create a resource for students and theatre lovers across the country”, said Dodwell.
Australian National Theatre Live is run by Dodwell, Raj Sidhu and Peter Hiscock. Dodwell is best known for his Logie Award-winning role in A Country Practice and major stage roles with Belvoir, Royal Queensland Theatre Company, SA Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company.
Raj Sidhu is as a founding member of the Riverland Youth Theatre, one of Australia’s longest running regional theatre companies. He has worked for the MTC, STC, Belvoir St and was an active member of the Griffin Theatre Company and the independent theatre scene for many years, with recent on stage performances with the Melbourne Theatre Company and La Mama Theatre.
Peter Hiscock has been a producer on the ABC’s 7.30 Report, Foreign Correspondent and Nine’s Sunday. In 2007 he was Executive Producer in charge of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for the Queensland Government, screened on CNN International to over a billion viewers across the Asia Pacific region.
Together, the three run RealPlayMedia.
Melbourne Premiere:
Friday 22 April 2016 – 6:00pm
Lido Cinema, Hawthorn
Sydney Premiere:
Wednesday 27 April 2016 – 6:00pm
The Ritz Cinema, Randwick