Michael Billington interviews Kenneth Branagh as part of Shakespeare on Screen season at Chiswick Cinema

Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh in Much Ado About Nothing (1993); Metro Goldwyn Mayer / IMDb

Video interview with Branagh in Toronto will be played before the screening of Much Ado About Nothing on Sunday

Sir Kenneth Branagh will make a special appearance via video before a screening of Much Ado About Nothing (1993) at Chiswick Cinema on Sunday.

The film is the second in a special season of Shakespeare on Screen curated by Chiswick resident Michael Billington.

READ ALSO: Shakespeare on Screen season at the Chiswick Cinema

Michael, Britain’s best known theatre critic, interviewed Kenneth Branagh remotely from Toronto where he is seeking distribution for Into the Breach about the history of UK theatre.

They talked about the future of cinema and theatre; the role of National Theatre Live in the future of both; Branagh’s potential future Shakespeare projects; and the production and intention behind Much Ado About Nothing.

Michael Billington talking to Kenneth Branagh

Filmed in Tuscany, it was the second of Shakespeare’s plays which Branagh adapted for film, and the second in which he starred with Emma Thompson, then his wife.

He was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Director for his first Shakespeare adaptation Henry V (1989), and went on to make Othello (1995), Hamlet (1996) and As You Like It (2006).

Much Ado About Nothing also stars Denzel Washington, Kate Beckinsale, Imelda Staunton, Brian Blessed and Keanu Reeves, as well as another Chiswick resident, the late Richard Briers.

The exclusive interview will be shown only at the cinema before screenings of Much Ado About Nothing this Sunday (20 September) and next Wednesday (23 September).

The season continues until December, with further special guest appearances to be announced.

Tickets – Much Ado About Nothing