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The Motive and the Cue

a new play by Jack Thorne
A co-production with Neal Street Productions

A black and white photograph of Richard Burton and John Gielgud, standing face-to-face, in mid-conversation, each holding a hand to their chin.

Booking and details

In select international cinemas
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West End transfer

The Motive and the Cue is performing at the Noël Coward Theatre until 23 March.
Visit the West End show page for details and to book

Sam Mendes directs a startling new play on the making of Burton and Gielgud’s Hamlet.

Why would the most famous movie star in the world choose to do a play which everyone already knows? And what lures us back to the same plays, year after year?

Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new production of Hamlet under John Gielgud’s exacting direction.

But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.

This fierce and funny new play by Jack Thorne offers a glimpse into the politics of a rehearsal room and the relationship between art and celebrity.

Sam Mendes directs Johnny Flynn as Burton, Mark Gatiss as Gielgud and Tuppence Middleton as Taylor.

 

The Motive and the Cue is inspired by Letters from an Actor by William Redfield and John Gielgud Directs Richard Burton in Hamlet by Richard L. Stern.

Performed 20 April — 15 July 2023 in the Lyttelton Theatre.

Reviews

Suitability

Please note this production contains strong language and adult themes, with some bright lighting.

Supporters

Supported by Mark Pigott KBE, KStJ, The Polonsky Foundation, Lawton W Fitt & James I McLaren Foundation, Dr Abe Peled, Monica Gerard-Sharp and Ali Wambold and Rosetrees Trust.

This play is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Plays Award.

This production is supported by the National Theatre’s Official Hotel Partner Edwardian Hotels.

Gallery

 

Cast

 

Production team

Writer

Jack Thorne

Director

Sam Mendes

Sam Mendes

Set Designer

Es Devlin

Costume Designer

Katrina Lindsay

Katrina Lindsay

Lighting Designer

Jon Clark

Jon Clark

Composer

Benjamin Kwasi Burrell

Benjamin Kwasi Burrell

Sound Designer

Paul Arditti

Paul Arditti

Casting

Alastair Coomer CDG

Alastair Coomer CDG

Casting

Naomi Downham

Naomi Downham

Associate Director

Zoé Ford Burnett

Zoé Ford Burnett

Associate Set Designer

Amalie White

Amalie White

Staff Director

Yasmin Hafesji

Yasmin Hafesji

Archive Unboxed

 

Photo of Richard Burton and Sir John Gielgud by Leo Friedman