Stratford Festival launching HD telecasts of Shakespeare plays

Following in the footsteps of Britain’s National Theatre and the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Stratford Festival in Canada is launching a new series of HD telecasts of its Shakespeare stage productions to cinemas around the world, though the screenings won’t be live.

Leaders at the Stratford Festival announced Tuesday that they have chosen three upcoming Shakespearean productions that will be captured live in high-definition video and then edited before distribution starting in early 2015.

“King Lear,” starring Colm Feore, is scheduled to hit cinemas in February, followed by screenings of “King John” and “Antony and Cleopatra,” set for April and May, respectively.

The three plays will be captured in HD during their runs this fall at Stratford. Company leaders said they have committed to providing three productions each season, with the ultimate goal of recording all of Shakespeare’s plays.

In addition to distribution through cinemas, the stage productions will also be made available via television and online.

The Stratford Festival is one of the world’s most renowned venues for classical repertory theater. The company produces classic dramas as well as more contemporary musicals.

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT