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National Theatre Live: After Life poster
IMDb20211h 34mUnited Kingdom

National Theatre Live: After Life

“If you could spend eternity with just one precious memory, what would it be?”

Synopsis

A group of strangers grapple with this impossible question as they find themselves in a bureaucratic waiting room between life and death. Encouraged by enigmatic officials, they must sift through their past lives to choose their forever. Adapted from Hirokazu Kore-eda's award-winning film, After Life is a surreal and powerfully human look at the way we view our lives, and a haunting meditation on what it is to live – and to die.

Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes

Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.

After Life Post-Show Talk with the Creative Team | National TheatreOfficial

Type: Behind the Scenes • Published 2021-07-01

Key Information & Fast Facts

Director
Jeremy Herrin
Screenplay & Story
Jack Thorne, Hirokazu Kore-eda
Original Score
Orlando Weeks, Sam Hudson-Scott
Original Title
National Theatre Live: After Life
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Spoken Languages
English
Runtime
1h 34m
Production Studios
National Theatre

Creative Leadership & Key Crew

Director

Jeremy Herrin

Screenplay & Story

Jack Thorne, Hirokazu Kore-eda

Original Score & Music

Orlando Weeks, Sam Hudson-Scott

Department Leadership Roster

Jeremy Herrin

Jeremy Herrin

Director

Jack Thorne

Jack Thorne

Writer

Hirokazu Kore-eda

Hirokazu Kore-eda

Writer

Official cinematic photography and background stills for National Theatre Live: After Life.

Featured In Curated Collections

Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring National Theatre Live: After Life.

National Theatre Live

All productions released by National Theatre Live, UK – either done directly by the Royal National Theatre or other UK venues/producers. [**NationalTheatre.org.uk**](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk) / [**NTLive.com**](https://www.ntlive.com) / [**NTatHome.com**](https://www.ntathome.com) (for its US equivalent, see [**BroadwayHD**](https://www.tmdb.org/company/103196-broadwayhd) and site [**BroadwayHD.com**](https://www.broadwayhd.com).) Some productions were filmed _solely_ for their paid streaming channel "National Theatre at Home", and were branded without the "National Theatre Live" posters which those that also screened in cinemas typically got posters with. (plus: There was a 2009 BBC TV series entry titled "National Theatre Live" with the first five filmed productions that featured additional commentary, at #280519, but this was deleted by a mod!) ______________________________________________________________________ • **2024.05.09.Thu: Plays 1-100** - [**nationaltheatre.org.uk/news/national-theatre-live-100-plays-in-cinemas-1-25**](https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/news/national-theatre-live-100-plays-in-cinemas-1-25) _"National Theatre Live broadcast its 100th title, Nye, live from the Olivier stage. Now buckle up as we’re going to take you on a journey through all 100 NT Lives (you heard that right). From our first to our most recent, join us to recount all the incredible plays that have made it from the stage to the screen – with some fun facts thrown in for good measure!"_ ______________________________________________________________________ **What is National Theatre Live (NTL) & National Theatre at Home (NTaH)?** ([**Wikipedia**](https://w.wiki/9grq)) National Theatre Live is an initiative from the National Theatre (formerly "Royal National Theatre") in London, who record their own plays (and also may do/did some live broadcasts to cinemas too) and other non-National Theatre productions from selected indie/West-End theatre plays in London and beyond in the UK (eg. Chichester, et al.). Unless it's a live cinema viewing, typically once the live theatre run has ended these are then shown in cinemas. NTL cinema audiences are able to view play recordings at cinema screenings in the UK and globally (eg. Australia, Taiwan, et al.), with cinema releases either concurrently (or after an initial cinema release) also released on their paid streaming service National Theatre at Home. NTaH launched in 2020 offering access to over 100 productions, with new titles added monthly. All titles include captions, over 90% available with Audio Description, and a selection available in British Sign Language (BSL). Reaching theatre audiences globally, streaming to over 184 countries, a majority of audiences having never visited the National Theatre's South Bank home, and is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies. 2026 research showed 99% of NTaH's audiences are outside London, with over 60% saying filmed theatre options support wider discoverability and increased overall theatre experiences.

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Frequently Asked Questions About National Theatre Live: After Life

Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.

What is National Theatre Live: After Life about?

A group of strangers grapple with this impossible question as they find themselves in a bureaucratic waiting room between life and death. Encouraged by enigmatic officials, they must sift through their past lives to choose their forever. Adapted from Hirokazu Kore-eda's award-winning film, After Life is a surreal and powerfully human look at the way we view our lives, and a haunting meditation on what it is to live – and to die.

Who directed National Theatre Live: After Life?

National Theatre Live: After Life was directed by Jeremy Herrin.

Who stars in National Theatre Live: After Life?

The principal cast of National Theatre Live: After Life includes Olatunji Ayofe, Nino Furuhata, Danielle Henry, Madeline Holliday, Togo Igawa.

When was National Theatre Live: After Life released and how long is it?

National Theatre Live: After Life was released in 2021 with a total runtime of 1h 34m.

Who composed the musical score for National Theatre Live: After Life?

The original motion picture soundtrack for National Theatre Live: After Life was composed by Orlando Weeks, Sam Hudson-Scott.