Helen Mirren - Theatre Broadcasts Mirren's Performance To Boost Arts Interest

DAME HELEN MIRREN's stage appearance in London's The National Theatre's production of PHEDRE will be broadcast in U.K. cinemas in a bid to heighten interest in the arts.

The Oscar-winning actress will star in the revered British theatre's version of Racine's classic tragedy in June (09).

And theatre bosses are hoping the star's appeal to filmgoers will entice the public to watch high-brow performances from the comfort of the cinema.

The theatre's director, Nicholas Hytner, says, "The purpose is to get our work seen more widely, so we are not going to do central London.

"It feels to me like an outside broadcast - that's the frame of reference you have to bring to bear."

The National will broadcast four of its performances across the U.K. starting with Mirren's performance in Summer (09).