9 December 2023 - 23 March 2024
Written by Jack Thorne, directed by Sam Mendes
★★★★ “Mark Gatiss is superb as Sir John Gielgud in Jack Thorne’s affecting play” – The Independent
Sam Mendes and Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) present The Motive and the Cue – a landmark new play about the 1964 Broadway staging of Hamlet by legendary actors Richard Burton and Sir John Gielgud.
Following an acclaimed run a the National Theatre, The Motive and the Cue transfers to the Noel Coward Theatre with its original stars Johnny Flynn, Mark Gatiss and Tuppence Middleton, playing the iconic roles of Richard Burton, John Gielgud and Elizabeth Taylor.
This fierce and funny new play offers a glimpse into the politics of a rehearsal room and the relationship between art and celebrity.
The play is based on the books “John Gielgud Directs Richard Burton in Hamlet” by Richard Sterne, and “Letters From an Actor” by William Redfield.
The Motive and the Cue is playing at the Noel Coward Theatre from 9 December 2023 to 23 March 2024.
What's the story of The Motive and the Cue?
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.
Who is in the cast of The Motive and the Cue?
The cast of The Motive and the Cue stars Johnny Flynn (Emma, Hangmen) as Richard Burton, Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey) as Elizabeth Taylor, and Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) as John Gielgud.
Full West End cast to be announced.
Who are the creative team of The Motive and the Cue?
Directed by Sam Mendes with set design by Es Devlin, costume by Katrina Lindsay, lighting by Jon Clark, sound by Paul Arditti and music composed by Kwasi Burrell. Inspired by Richard Sterne’s John Gielgud Directs Richard Burton in Hamlet and William Redfield’s Letters From an Actor; written by Jack Thorne.
Cast Highlights
Reviews of The Motive and the Cue
★★★★★ "Sam Mendes’s rich, witty production" - Financial Times★★★★ "A witty, deft, touching evocation of a fascinating, fraught encounter" - Telegraph
★★★★ "Sam Mendes’s elegant production is a love letter to theatre" - Evening Standard
★★★★ "Mark Gatiss is superb as Sir John Gielgud in Jack Thorne’s affecting play" - The Independent
★★★★ "Mark Gatiss is mesmerising in Jack Thorne’s gossipy new play" - i News
★★★★ "Will this play be a hit? I think so, dear boy, I think so." - The Times
★★★★ "Mark Gatiss and Johnny Flynn are mesmerising in this absorbing real-life tale" - The Stage
★★★★ "Mark Gatiss is eerily good in this clash of titan thesps" - The Sunday Times
Show Information
Matinees: Thursday, Saturday
Performance information is for guidance only. Check booking calendar for details.
Important Notes
Content:
Please note this production contains strong language and adult themes, with some bright lighting.
Christmas and New Year performances:
Monday 18th December: 7:00pm
Tuesday 19th December: 7:30pm
Wednesday 20th December: 7:30pm
Thursday 21st December: 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday 22nd December: 7:30pm
Saturday 23rd December: 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday 24th December: No performances
Monday 25th December: No performances
Tuesday 26th December: No performances
Wednesday 27th December: 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Thursday 28th December: 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday 29th December: 7:30pm
Saturday 30th December: 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Sunday 31st December: No performances
Monday 1st January: No performances
Tuesday 2nd January: 7:30pm
Wednesday 3rd January: 7:30pm
Thursday 4th January: 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Friday 5th January: 7:30pm
Saturday 6th January: 2:00pm and 7:30pm
Venue Information
Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4AANearest Tube or Train: Leicester Square (Northern line, Piccadilly line)
Nearest Buses: 24, 29, 176
Ticket Information
Official London Theatre tickets for The Motive and the Cue at the Noel Coward Theatre, London
Book tickets to The Motive and the Cue at the Noel Coward Theatre, London with WestendTheatre.com. You will be purchasing official London theatre tickets from an authorised retailer and member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.
The Motive and the Cue booking calendar and seating plan→