The Motive and the Cue
The Motive and the Cue by Jack Thorne is a play published by Nick Hern Books, Limited on April 27, 2023. This edition spans 112 pages and is presented in English. The narrative centers on Richard Burton, the renowned Welsh actor, who is set to portray Hamlet in an experimental production directed by John Gielgud. As rehearsals unfold, tensions rise between the iconic actor and the esteemed director, highlighting the complexities of their collaboration.
Readers will find a fierce and humorous exploration of the dynamics within a rehearsal room, as well as the interplay between art and celebrity. The play delves into the challenges faced by both Burton and Gielgud, showcasing the collision of two distinct theatrical worlds. The Motive and the Cue offers insights into the intricacies of performance and the pressures of fame, making it a notable addition to contemporary drama.
Official synopsis Publisher
Richard Burton, the firebrand Welsh actor, newly married to movie star Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new production of Hamlet under the exacting direction of John Gielgud.
But as rehearsals progress, the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel. One of them is the most famous movie star in the world; the other, a patrician from an earlier age of theatre. The stage is set for two titans to collide.
Jack Thorne’s The Motive and the Cue is a fierce, funny play which offers a glimpse into the politics of a rehearsal room and the relationship between art and celebrity. Commissioned and co-produced by Neal Street Productions, it opened at the National Theatre, London, in May 2023, directed by Sam Mendes and featuring Johnny Flynn as Burton, Mark Gatiss as Gielgud and Tuppence Middleton as Taylor.
The Motive and the Cue was named Best Play at the 2023 Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
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