AP Photo The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present a captivating new production of Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III, starring Sherlock and Wolf Hall actor Mark Gatiss in the title role. Captured live via satellite from the stage of London’s Nottingham Playhouse, it will be presented Jan.10, at 7 p.m.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present a captivating new production of Alan Bennett’s “The Madness of George III,” starring Sherlock and Wolf Hall actor Mark Gatiss in the title role. Captured live via satellite from the stage of London’s Nottingham Playhouse, it will be presented on Thur., Jan.10, at 7 p.m.

The multi-award winning drama is the National Theatre Live’s first-ever broadcast from Nottingham Playhouse. Written by one of Britain’s best-loved playwrights, Alan Bennett (“The History Boys,” “The Lady in the Van”), this epic play was adapted into a BAFTA Award-winning film following its premiere on stage in 1991.

The cast of this new production, which critics have called “sensational,” “stand-out” and “electric,” includes Olivier Award-winners Gatiss and Adrian Scarborough (“Upstairs Downstairs”).

The play is set in 1786 when King George III is the most powerful man in the world.  But his behavior is becoming increasingly erratic as he succumbs to fits of lunacy. With the King’s mind unraveling at a dramatic pace, ambitious politicians and the scheming Prince of Wales threaten to undermine the power of the Crown, and expose the fine line between a King and a man. 

With a rating equivalent to PG-13, the production runs approximately two hours, 40 minutes, with one intermission.

Tickets are $15 ($10 Students) and may be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 679-1891, Tuesday through Friday, 1-5 p.m. They also may be purchased online any time at www.fredopera.org. In addition, Live in HD Series Flex Subscription tickets ($116 for eight tickets) can be used at any of the National Theatre Live productions.

The Opera House is equipped with assistive listening headsets for the hearing-impaired. Simply request one from any usher or Opera House staff member. Support for this production comes from the United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.