Great news for local Benedict Cumberbatch fans: The 2011 British National Theatre production of “Frankenstein,” in which the “Sherlock Holmes” star played the titular role of a hideous creature, is currently playing here.

The original production never came to Korea, but instead will appear on the silver screen.

As part of National Theater Live series, The National Theater of Korea is screening the award-winning play ― written by British playwright Nick Dear and produced by Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire”) ― through March 1 at its venue at the base of Mount Namsan, central Seoul. 

The state-run theater is not the only one screening acclaimed stage productions from across the globe. Major local cinema chains Megabox and Lotte Cinema are also screening a stellar lineup of performances from the world’s top venues, allowing people to enjoy quality shows at a fraction of the cost ― and maybe eat popcorn as well.

Mozart’s comic opera “The Marriage of Figaro” is next in line for this year’s Megabox lineup of New York Metropolitan Opera productions.

Starting this Saturday and continuing until April 10, the four-act masterpiece will be screened at Megabox theaters in Coex, Central City and Mok-dong in Seoul; at KIEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province; and in Daegu.

In this rendition, Met music director James Levine conducts Richard Eyre’s new production of “Marriage of Figaro.” Set in the late 1920s in Seville, Spain, the opera centers on the relationships of two couples being tested through one twisted event after another.

Other noted Met performances to be screened include the tragic love story “Carmen,” the French opera “The Tales of Hoffmann,” and the double bill of Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta” and Bartok’s “Bluebeard’s Castle.”

For more information, visit www.megabox.co.kr or call 1544-0070.

Lotte Cinema is screening the Paris National Opera production of “The Barber of Seville” through Feb. 28 at 10 selected theaters.

Written by Gioachino Rossini in 1816, this 200-year-old classic is the story of Count Almaviva, who is madly in love with young Rosina, and wishes to take her away from her old guardian and marry her.

Italian stage director Damiano Michieletto ― touted as one of the most interesting young directors today ― made his Paris Opera debut with this production.

Following the Rossini’s Opera, four other productions by the Paris National Opera will fill Lotte screens throughout the year: Puccini’s “Tosca,” Mozart’s “The Abduction from the Seraglio” and “Don Giovanni,” and Gounod’s “Faust.”

Five works from the English National Opera, including Verdi’s “La Traviata” and Bizet’s “Carmen,” have also been included in the lineup, along with two ballet performances by the Paris Opera Ballet, “Manon” and “Ballet Gala.”

For more information, visit www.lottecinema.co.kr.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)