The Cultural Center of the Philippines brings two powerhouse performances from the National Theatre in London – the gripping drama A Streetcar Named Desire and the war comedy Dr. Strangelove – to the Philippine big screen this June.
A Streetcar Named Desire makes its Philippine cinema debut on June 24 at 6 p.m. at Ayala Malls Cinemas in Glorietta 4, Makati City, while Dr. Strangelove returns with a special screening at Vertis North in Quezon City and the Central Bloc in Cebu, also on the same day.
A gripping story of desire and descent
Gillian Anderson (Sex Education), Vanessa Kirby (The Crown), and Ben Foster (Lone Survivor) lead the cast in Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece: A Streetcar Named Desire. As Blanche’s fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace. But her downward spiral brings her face to face with the brutal, unforgiving Stanley Kowalski.
From visionary director Benedict Andrews, this acclaimed production was filmed live during a sold-out run at the Young Vic Theatre in 2014.
Williams published A Streetcar Named Desire in 1947, during the aftermath of the Second World War. Its taboo themes of class tensions, female sexuality, homosexuality, and male domination – all of which simultaneously coexisted with the social dilemmas of the time – made the story popular.
A Streetcar Named Desire had its first staging on December 3, 1947, with the performance ending with a short, surprised silence before a thunder of applause that lasted 30 minutes.
Razor-sharp and darkly comic
Based on Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 Cold War comedy, Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge, The Trip) leads this fun new stage adaptation from Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It) and Sean Foley (The Upstart Crow) as he takes on Peter Seller’s iconic roles.
Seen as one of the top comedy films of all time, Dr. Strangelove celebrates Kubrick’s legacy and the relevance of the story 60 years on. The cast also features National Theatre Live alumni Giles Terera (Othello, Hamilton) and Tony Jayawardena (Nye).
Seven-time BAFTA Award winner Steve Coogan plays four roles in the world premiere adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s comedy masterpiece.
When a rogue U.S. General triggers a nuclear attack, a surreal race takes place, seeing the Government and one eccentric scientist scramble to avert global destruction. This explosively funny satire is led by a world-renowned creative team including Emmy Award-winner Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It, Veep) and Olivier Award-winner Sean Foley (The Upstart Crow).
Delighting Filipino audiences with world-class stage plays
The CCP’s National Theatre Live is a groundbreaking initiative of the Cultural Center of the Philippines to showcase the best of international theater. By bringing renowned productions from the National Theatre in London directly to the Philippine big screen, CCP aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the arts, particularly the performing arts, and provide a dynamic and immersive theater experience to those who may not have the opportunity to see these performances live.
In partnership with National Theatre Live, and Ayala Malls Cinemas, CCP underscores its commitment to enriching the cultural landscape of the Philippines, offering a unique platform for global artistry while connecting it with local audiences through this program.
First launched in June 2009, UK’s National Theatre Live has broadcast the best of British theatre live from the London stage to cinemas across the United Kingdom, around the world, and now in the Philippines. Digitally filmed in High-Definition quality, NTL films play in front of live theater audiences but optimized for the big screen and made accessible to theater fans across the globe.
Regular ticket prices are PHP300 in Makati and Cebu, and PHP350 in Vertis North, with special ticket price for students at PHP150. Visit the venue’s ticket booth or book them online via www.sureseats.com to purchase tickets.
To get the latest updates on CCP’s National Theatre Live and other events, follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for more news.
