National Theatre Live

The Tanner Humanities Center, in collaboration with the Salt Lake Film Society, began hosting National Theatre Live in 2010. National Theatre Live is a groundbreaking initiative to broadcast world-class theatre performances from the stages of the National Theatre in London to cinemas across the UK and around the world. Audiences get to experience the best of British theatre in spectacular high-definition on the big screen in a shared and immersive experience. National Theatre Live offers the chance to see plays that would otherwise not be seen outside of London, by people of all ages and backgrounds.

 Over the past 13 years since this collaboration was established, the Tanner Center has hosted over 100 screenings. One of the most popular screenings every October is Frankenstein, directed by Academy Award-winner Danny Boyle, a thrilling re-imagining of Mary Shelley's classic novel. The production featured Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature, with both versions screened for audiences. Other favorite screenings among patrons include Fleabag, written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, an adaptation of her award-winning series of the same name; King Lear, directed by Sam Mendes, an electrifying and powerful adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, starring Sir Ian McKellen in the title role; and War Horse, based on Michael Morpurgo's novel, a breathtaking and heart-warming story of courage and friendship. The play featured a spectacular stage production featuring life-sized puppets of the horses, created by the Handspring Puppet Company.

 In addition to hosting screenings, the Tanner Center welcomes K-12 teachers to arrange special screenings for their students at no cost. Most recently Riverton High School performing arts students saw a private screening of Julius Caesar, a modern retelling of the classic Shakespearean tragedy, which also included rock music to make it more fun and modern for a younger audience. Likewise, students from Skyridge High School took a field trip to the Broadway Theatre to see the NTL production of Hamlet, starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

The Tanner Center hosts 10-12 screenings per year and offer season tickets to dedicated theatre fans. All proceeds from ticket sales to National Theatre Live performances are used to fund private school screenings as well as provide reduced or free tickets for college and high school students.