SET against the backdrop of post-war Britain, John Osborneʼs modern classic conjures the seedy glamour of the old music halls for an explosive examination of public masks and private torment.

Rob Ashford directs Kenneth Branagh as the Archie Rice, with John Hurt as Billy Rice in the final production for Plays at the Garrick season.

Now there is a chance to see this iconic production live on the big screen at the Regent in Christchurch on Thursday, October 27 at 7.15pm, when there will be a live satellite broadcast direct from the Garrick Theatre in London.

The Entertainer was memorably filmed in 1960 with Sir Laurence Oliver as Archie Rice, the seedy seaside music hall entertainer, who is a failure in both his life and career.

Despite this, his ego knows no bounds as he stubbornly sticks to the music hall art form that is dying on its feet in post-war Britain.

Much as the country is losing its Empire and place in the world, so the chintzy seaside resorts around the country are tearing down their old Victorian hippodromes.

Archie himself is dying breed who refuses to move on from his decaying world and only succeeds in ruining the lives of those closest to him.

Many see Kenneth Branagh as today’s successor to Sir Laurence Olivier and so it is only appropriate that he should take on one of the great actor’s most famous roles.

n For more information please contact the Regent Centre on 01202 499199 or visit the website regentcentre.co.uk