The Motive and the Cue Tickets
A glimpse behind the scenes at the complicated relationship between art and celebrity.This production is suitable for ages 12+
Performance dates
9 December 2023 - 23 March 2024
Run time 2 hours and 40 mins including interval
Includes interval
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Tickets for The Motive and the Cue are available now!
What happened in the rehearsal rooms of one of the most well-known productions of all time? Sam Mendes directs a sensational and shocking new play on what happened behind the scenes of the making of Richard Burton and John Gielgud’s Hamlet. This fierce and hilarious new play by Jack Thorne offers the audience the chance to be a fly on the wall into the politics of a rehearsal room while exploring the relationship between art and celebrity.
Following a critically acclaimed, sell-out run at the National Theatre, The Motive and the Cue transfers to the West End for a strictly limited 15-week run, playing at the Noël Coward Theatre from 9 December. Book your tickets now!
About The Motive and the Cue
What drives us to see the same plays, year after year?
In The Motive and the Cue, mega-star Richard Burton is newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, and is preparing to play the titular role in John Gielgud’s experimental, new production of Hamlet. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.
The creatives of The Motive and the Cue
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.
The Motive and the Cue tickets are available now!
Richard Burton’s Hamlet was a roaring commercial success, it ran for 17 weeks, breaking a record previously held by Gielgud himself, and was packed out every night. But, for many of those involved, it was not a happy experience. Explore all of it and more in this striking new play that is a theatrical tour de force! This fiercely funny new play is a love letter to the complex relationship between celebrity and art. Book your tickets now!
Content
This production contains strong language and adult themes, with some bright lighting.Recent Reviews
Absolutely fantastic performance
An absolutely fantastic script with riveting performances from both Gatiss and Flynn.
Excellent performances and brilliant staging.
I had been recommended to see this by several friends. It was rather a slow burn for the first half of the first act but then wonderful. Nark Gatiss WAS John Gielgid.
A great performance by very talented actors. Not often I want to see something again
Stunning performances we sat entranced. Very emotive towards the end and wonderfully witty throughout. The set was perfect. I wish I could see it again.
One of the best plays I may have ever scene. Outstanding performances.
I was blown away by the performances. Gatiss played Sir John G to perfection and Flynn was a brilliant intense Burton. The whole production was a marvel. Mark & M Pressman
A superb production with an outstanding performance from Mark Gatiss. Johnny Flynn had the thankless task of reproducing the unique tones of Richard Burton which were much more effective in the quieter, reflective scenes in the latter part of the play. Gielgud's angst with handling Burton, coping with his own fading stardom, and his own homosexuality was brilliantly conveyed by Mr. Gatiss. The last 20 minutes especially was superb theatre, with both actors generating a spellbinding atmosphere for the audience.
It was every bit as good as everyone said. Great performances, allowing us behind the scenes, and bringing two of the greats brought back to life
Absolutely loved it. Both leads were amazing and totally became their roles.
I was in seat F20 of the stalls. My partner who is 6 foot sat next to me. I took a picture of my view of the stage. The head and shoulders of the men in front of me and my partner completely obscured our view of the centre of the stage. We spent 90% of our time leaning to the left or right to catch a glimpse of the actors. It was exhausting and ruined our visit. This is a restricted view and we should have been warned in advance. We want our money back. We paid for something we didn’t see. I have tried to upload the picture but I can’t do it. But I have the picture taken at the end of the performance.
Latest The Motive and the Cue News
News / New Shows + Transfers
What’s opening in theatre’s this month (December 2023)
December is here, and we are full of Christmas spirit (partly thanks to the numerous mulled wine stalls dotted around the capital…) roasted chestnuts, tinsel draped over every available surface, and Christmas films dominating our television sets, we’re fully committed to all things Christmassy.
However, the twinkling lights and decorated trees aren’t the only things going up in the capital this December, as the curtain is set to rise on a whole host of brand-new shows! With beautiful ballet, provocative pantos and Christmas classics, the West End is well and truly spoiling us this festive season (good thing indulgence is encouraged this month!)
30 Nov, 2023 | By Sian McBride
News / Features / New Shows + Transfers
The backstory, the motive and the cue: everything you need to know about Richard Burton
Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, His Dark Materials) explores the tumultuous relationship between art and celebrity in his latest play, The Motive and the Cue. The story follows Richard Burton (Johnny Flynn), fresh from his (first) wedding to Elizabeth Taylor. Burton is preparing to play the titular role in John Gielgud’s (Mark Gatiss) experimental, stripped-back production of Hamlet. It was gamble for the world’s most famous actor to perform such a well-known play, considering he'd played the role 10 years earlier.
However, Burtons fears will ill found as the production became a smash hit breaking the record for the longest run for the play in Broadway history at 137 performances. Many credited Burton’s personality as much as his performance for the show’s runaway success, but how did Richard Burton become such a global phenomenon?
14 Jul, 2023 | By Sian McBride
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