Why See The Motive and The Cue?
West End Transfer
Fresh from a nigh-on sold-out run at the National's Lyttleton Theatre, this much acclaimed new play from Jack Thorne transfers to the Noel Coward Theatre for a strictly limited reprise, beginning in December 2023.
Directed by Sam Mendes and starring Mark Gatiss, Johnny Flynn, and Tuppence Middleton, this vibrant and ferociously funny piece offers a peek into a rehearsal room boiling over with ego as John Gielgud (Gatiss) prepares to direct Richard Burton (Flynn) as Hamlet on Broadway. In 'a love letter to the theatre' (Evening Standard) the two go head to head, clashing over almost every detail as the old-school Gieulgud is forced to recon with the rebellious, newly married Burton. With their careers, values and a lot of money on the line, can the two work together, or will this Hamlet be struck down before the first act?
No stranger to rehearsal rooms, Writers Guild of Great Britain Award for Outstanding Contribution to Writing recipient Jack Thorne is one of the UK's most in-demand writers with credits including Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Let The Right One In, After Life and the upcoming Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
Additional Information
Dates
Opening night: 9 December 2023
MASKS
You may be required to wear a mask during this performance. Please contact the venue directly for more information.
Cast and Creative
Cast
Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud
Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton
Tuppence Middleton as Elizabeth Taylor
Allan Corduner as Hume Cronyn
Sarah Woodward as Eileen Herlie
Rebecca Collingwood as Linda Marsh
Luke Norris as William Redfield
Laurence Ubong Williams as Hugh McHaffie
Elena Delia as Jessica Levy
Huw Parmenter as Clement Fowler
Aaron Anthony as Robert Milli
Adam Sina as Frederick Young
Ryan Ellsworth as George Voskovec
Daniel Krikler as Dillon Evans and Waiter
David Tarkenter as Alfred Drake
Kate Tydman as Christine Cooper
Mark Extance as Mick Burrows
Stephanie Siadatan as Susannah Mason.
Creative
Written by Jack Thorne
Directed by Sam Mendes
Set design by Es Devlin
Costume design by Katrina Lindsay
Lighting by Jon Clark
Composed by Benjamin Kwasi Burrell
Sound by Paul Arditti
Casting by Alastair Coomer CDG and Naomi Downham
What you thought
Seen The Motive and The Cue? Loved it? Hated it?
Help your fellow London Theatreland visitors by leaving the first review!
Write a review nowSpread the word
Sound good to you? Share this page on social media and let your friends know about The Motive and The Cue at Noel Coward Theatre.
Keep up to date
I want email news and updates for events in my area! Read how we protect your data.
Please note: The term Noel Coward Theatre and/or The Motive and The Cue as well as all associated graphics, logos, and/or other trademarks, tradenames or copyrights are the property of the Noel Coward Theatre and/or The Motive and The Cue and are used herein for factual descriptive purposes only. We are in no way associated with or authorized by the Noel Coward Theatre and/or The Motive and The Cue and neither that entity nor any of its affiliates have licensed or endorsed us to sell tickets, goods and or services in conjunction with their events.