I count as one of my prized theatrical experiences the month I spent in London as an undergrad, soaking up theater. One of the best destinations is National Theatre where I saw Ian McKellan in “Coriolanus.” Amazing.

You can experience a LIVE National Theatre production on Thursday afternoon in Pleasantville, when the Jacob Burns Film Center presents a live broadcast of “All’s Well that Ends Well” at 2 p.m.

This is a first for the Burns but not for the National, which produced a live broadcast of “Phedre” with Helen Mirren — seen by 50,000 people in 19 countries — last June. They call this broadcast enterprise “NT Live,” an effort to spread the reach of the National.

Thursday’s broadcast begins at 2 p.m., from the Olivier Theatre, the largest in the sprawling National campus on the bank of the Thames.

Here’s a description of the play, from the National:
“Set against a background of sexism, snobbery and a battle between the generations, “All’s Well that Ends Well” turns fairytale logic on its head in a wondrous, bittersweet story. The feisty but lowly Helena falls in love with Bertram, a haughty count. To gain his hand she is set a string of impossible tasks which, even if accomplished, can hardly guarantee his love. He refuses to bed her, but says he’ll only be hers if she bears his child—while he lusts after another. Nevertheless, our heroine, for better or worse, refuses to give him up.”

Sounds like a full afternoon. The running time is 175 minutes, including one 25-minute intermission and a 15-minute pre-show presentation.

“All’s Well That Ends Well” will be shown in the Burns’ Theater 1, which seats 250. $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers.

Click here for details.

(Photo courtesy National Theatre)