National Theatre Live has announced two major West End and South Bank theatrical hits heading to cinemas worldwide in early 2027. Noël Coward’s classic comedy Hay Fever, captured live during its current London run, will premiere in cinemas on 14th January 2027, followed by the big-screen return of Jack Thorne’s award-winning drama The Motive and the Cue on 18th February 2027.
Currently playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre, director Emily Burns’ revival of Hay Fever stars two-time Tony Award winner Christine Baranski as retired actress Judith Bliss, alongside Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant as David Bliss. The cast also features Nancy Carroll, Will Close, Charles Edwards, Ophelia Lovibond, and Ash Hunter. Coward’s famous "comedy of bad manners" sees the eccentric Bliss family unknowingly invite four separate weekend guests to their country house, sparking immediate domestic chaos.
Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre, a West End transfer, and an initial cinema release seen by over 240,000 viewers, The Motive and the Cue returns to screens in February. Directed by Sam Mendes, the play offers a backstage look at Richard Burton and John Gielgud’s legendary 1964 Broadway production of Hamlet.
The broadcast features Mark Gatiss in his Olivier Award-winning performance as John Gielgud, alongside Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton and Tuppence Middleton as Elizabeth Taylor. The drama captures the clash of artistic generations and the creative friction between actor and director during rehearsals.
Filmed in high definition in front of live audiences, both productions will screen in over 1,000 UK venues alongside international distribution.
Tickets for both National Theatre Live cinema events are available now via NTLive.com.
