It is hardly a typical, feelgood night out at the movies: a 17th century tragedy by a French playwright, performed in free verse, and full of dark emotions and untimely deaths.

But next month’s production of Racine’s Phèdre at London’s National Theatre, starring Dame Helen Mirren, is to be screened live in 170 cinemas worldwide as part of an experiment to spread the best of British theatre around the globe.