Helen Mirren as queen in ‘The Audience’ to be broadcast to cinemas

Helen Mirren’s big return to the role of Queen Elizabeth II in the new play “The Audience,” by Peter Morgan, now will be a global event. Fans around the world will be able to experience the London stage production when it is broadcast to cinemas this summer as part of the National Theatre Live series.

“The Audience,” which has already begun performances at the Gielgud Theatre on London’s West End, will be broadcast starting June 13. Movie times will vary by time zone, and there will be encore broadcasts throughout the summer.

Participating theaters in the Los Angeles area include the Hollywood Chinese 6 theaters at Hollywood & Highland; the Downtown Independent; and the L.A. Theatre Works at UCLA’s James Bridges Theater.

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“The Audience” follows Queen Elizabeth II during her meetings with various prime ministers, from Winston Churchill to David Cameron. The stage production is directed by Oscar-nominated Stephen Daldry. The cast includes Robert Hardy as Winston Churchill, Haydn Gwynne as Margaret Thatcher, Nathaniel Parker as Gordon Brown, Paul Ritter as John Major and Rufus Wright as David Cameron.

The stage production is scheduled to end its limited run in London on June 15.

Mirren won an Academy Award for playing the British monarch in the 2006 movie “The Queen,” which was also scripted by Morgan.

The actress previously appeared as part of National Theatre Live in its production of “Phedre” in 2009.

National Theatre Live’s new season also includes cinematic broadcasts of Alan Bennett’s new play “People,” on Mar. 21, and “This House” by James Graham on May 16.

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