The Motive and the Cue
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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.
About
A Neal Street co-production with The National Theatre, this new play, The Motive and the Cue, directed by Sam Mendes and written by Jack Thorne which will be staged at the NT's Lyttelton Theatre from April 2023.
The production will feature Production Design by Es Devlin, Costume Design by Katrina Lindsay, Lighting by Jon Clark, Composing by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell, Sound Design by Paul Arditti and Video Design by Luke Halls. Associate director is Zoé Ford Burnett.
Key Creatives & Cast
Directed by Sam Mendes
Written by Jack Thorne
Production Design by Es Devlin
Costume Design by Katrina Lindsay
Lighting Design by Jon Clark
Composed by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell
Sound Design by Paul Arditti
Video Design by Luke Halls
Associate Director is Zoé Ford Burnett