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Post by demelza on Jul 10, 2023 12:33:25 GMT
I saw this on Saturday evening as my friend was able to get us some fairly last minute seats in the second row of the stalls and really enjoyed it. I do agree with others on here that the ensemble cast is somewhat underused. Jack Thorne is very hit and miss for me, and I found this to be a real hit!
I enjoyed the performances and I was very happy to finally catch Luke Norris on stage and I really enjoyed him as the slightly awkward William Redfield. I do hope that he'll be transferring to the West End as I'm hoping to catch that run with another friend. I wouldn't describe myself as a big Mark Gatiss fan but I thought that he was really wonderful as Gielgud, even if he did remind me in parts of Jim Broadbent. I thought that Tuppence Middleton was very charming as Elizabeth Taylor as well. Johnny Flynn gave a great performance as Richard Burton too.
I really loved the ending, I don't think that you could have ended the play any other way.
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Post by mkb on Jul 10, 2023 16:13:32 GMT
I'm wondering how Jack Thorne managed to write both this and the Donmar's Winston play. My initial take was that they seemed worlds apart in terms of quality, but maybe the actors/direction swung it, or maybe it's just me. Maybe I was in the right frame of mind for Motive and not for Winston? More likely is that I find Gielgud and Burton interesting and John Reith, as portrayed, rather tiresome.
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Post by mrbarnaby on Jul 10, 2023 20:43:07 GMT
I'm wondering how Jack Thorne managed to write both this and the Donmar's Winston play. My initial take was that they seemed worlds apart in terms of quality, but maybe the actors/direction swung it, or maybe it's just me. Maybe I was in the right frame of mind for Motive and not for Winston? More likely is that I find Gielgud and Burton interesting and John Reith, as portrayed, rather tiresome. I don’t know how he has the time to write as many projects as he does. Maybe that’s the problem..
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Post by theatrefan77 on Jul 10, 2023 22:47:41 GMT
Watched this for a second time on Wednesday I really loved it even more than in my previous visit. For me this play has been one of the theatrical highlights of the year.
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Post by Being Alive on Jul 10, 2023 23:07:04 GMT
I'm wondering how Jack Thorne managed to write both this and the Donmar's Winston play. My initial take was that they seemed worlds apart in terms of quality, but maybe the actors/direction swung it, or maybe it's just me. Maybe I was in the right frame of mind for Motive and not for Winston? More likely is that I find Gielgud and Burton interesting and John Reith, as portrayed, rather tiresome. When Winston went to war with the wireless has been around for a while - another London theatre has had the rights since 2020. To my knowledge he finished Motive mid last year.
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Post by Jon on Jul 10, 2023 23:11:31 GMT
In the case of The Motive and The Cue, the original idea was conceived by Sam Mendes who came across the book about the production of Hamlet and through Neal Street commissioned Jack Thorne to write it as a play.
It's not that unusual for writers to have multiple play in some form of development with multiple theatres or producers. James Graham had Ink, Labour of Love and Quiz in the same year and last year Mike Bartlett had The 47th at the Old Vic and Scandaltown at the Lyric Hammersmith.
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Post by mkb on Jul 11, 2023 10:54:18 GMT
To be clear, I wasn't wondering how Thorne had time to write both plays; I was saying how could he be the author of two works that seemed to me so vastly different in quality.
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Post by Steve on Jul 15, 2023 23:11:40 GMT
To be clear, I wasn't wondering how Thorne had time to write both plays; I was saying how could he be the author of two works that seemed to me so vastly different in quality. For me, both plays are excellent, and, in some ways, are the same play: Both plays present a lonely, complex and refined man (Gielgud/Reith - both gay, incidentally) trying to resist a complex man of action, who wields far greater worldly power (Burton/Churchill), from using that power to bulldoze straight through him and his values. "The Motive and the Cue" is the more loveable play because deep down, actors respect each other's talent and can affirm each other, resulting in feel-good emotions for the audience, whereas politicians do not and never will respect broadcasters, resulting in feel-bad feelings for the audience. Further, Gielgud is far more fundamentally decent (and thus more likeable) than Reith, as depicted, and Burton is far more vulnerable (and thus more likeable) than Churchill, as depicted. Thus, both action and character favour audiences walking out of "The Motive and the Cue" with more benign feelings about themselves, about other people and about the world they live in, and the play itself, than if they walk out of "When Winston went to war with the Wireless," which is fundamentally deeply depressing, even if Reith does succeed in creating an institution which is designed to build bridges between a deep political divide in the population. Anyway, I saw "The Motive and the Cue" again tonight, the last night of the National run, and it was so exquisite and brilliant (and feel-good) that I adjusted my rating above from 4 to 5 stars (my initial reaction in previews was 4 and a half stars, but that half star is filled for me now). Some spoilers follow. . . Absolutely everybody in the production is firing on all cylinders at all times now, but of course it's Gatiss and Flynn who carry the conflict and the story, and both are precision perfect now. Truthfully, I think Gatiss had Gielgud from hello, but tonight his end of the first half delivery of Hamlet's address to the players, where he rails against players who "out-herod Herod" (Burton, anyone lol?) was filled with such a well of deep emotion, of memories of youth, of mourning for a world gone by, of wistfulness for a world that never was, that I was in tears. But it's Flynn taking absolute command of his Burton that has really lifted this production, as everyone else in the show is responding to what he does. In previews, when acting emotional moments, the accent might waver or the staccato punchiness of Burton's performance style might be lost. Not now. Flynn has a hold of everything Burton now: his posturing, his vulnerability, his accent, his penchant for electric exclamation in performance, the slow rise of his temper, the moments his guard falls and he softens, and being able to combine all this simultaneously makes for hugely alive moment to moment theatre. Indeed, Flynn is so good at getting inside Burton's tempestuousness now that I found myself rooting for him, even when he was behaving despicably, as I felt from Flynn the emotions and reasons for why he was behaving like that. Although I still enjoyed Janie Dee telling him off lol. And with Flynn on fire, it lifts the game of everyone else, including even Gatiss. In "Winston went to War," the real protagonist is the BBC, it's fight to walk its own path, apart from Government, to unite a Country. And that's an important story. In this, all the actors on stage fight to walk their own individual paths (as we all must do), with Flynn and Gatiss leading the way, coming together to create art. And that's an equally important story. I loved this tonight. 5 stars from me.
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 16, 2023 8:45:23 GMT
In the case of The Motive and The Cue, the original idea was conceived by Sam Mendes who came across the book about the production of Hamlet and through Neal Street commissioned Jack Thorne to write it as a play. It's not that unusual for writers to have multiple play in some form of development with multiple theatres or producers. James Graham had Ink, Labour of Love and Quiz in the same year and last year Mike Bartlett had The 47th at the Old Vic and Scandaltown at the Lyric Hammersmith. And Cock at the Ambassadors, although the less said about that the better!
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Post by c4ndyc4ne on Jul 16, 2023 10:31:38 GMT
In the case of The Motive and The Cue, the original idea was conceived by Sam Mendes who came across the book about the production of Hamlet and through Neal Street commissioned Jack Thorne to write it as a play. It's not that unusual for writers to have multiple play in some form of development with multiple theatres or producers. James Graham had Ink, Labour of Love and Quiz in the same year and last year Mike Bartlett had The 47th at the Old Vic and Scandaltown at the Lyric Hammersmith. And Cock at the Ambassadors, although the less said about that the better! though that was a revival, so slightly different situation. thorne's revival of a christmas carol runs every year and cursed child is still playing.
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Post by A.Ham on Jul 16, 2023 11:13:57 GMT
And Cock at the Ambassadors, although the less said about that the better! though that was a revival, so slightly different situation. thorne's revival of a christmas carol runs every year and cursed child is still playing. Ah yes, good point!
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Post by Rory on Oct 4, 2023 13:43:14 GMT
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Post by NorthernAlien on Nov 22, 2023 12:08:34 GMT
What the heck is going on with this? NT publicity says 'from the 9th', DMT's website doesn't even show any sold out performances for that date, just a blank space. The discounters have it opening even later? Is the first performance on the 9th happening? Or has it been postponed?
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Post by papasmurf115 on Dec 29, 2023 1:02:39 GMT
Really enjoyed this play at the Noel Coward Theatre last night. The cast seemed pleased with a standing ovation. I loved Gatiss' performance as Gielgud & thought Johnny Flynn was a good Burton. Disagreed with the lady next to me who thought Flynn's voice was grating & annoying. Although having seen Hamlet & several other Uncle Will plays, I was more interested in the Gielgud/Burton ego dynamic. The staging also hit the mark.
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Post by david on Jan 3, 2024 0:21:35 GMT
My 2024 theatre year got off to a great start with a visit to the Noel Coward theatre for today’s performance. A purchase of a rush ticket this morning got me stalls H8. Having some credit on my TT account I ended up paying £22 for want I found out after looking in the DMT website was selling at £110 direct from the theatre (an absolute win there I think).
Despite a delay for an hour due to some technical issues, this offering from the NT was a 5⭐️ show for me and showed off the NT at its very best - a wonderful piece of writing (from Jack Thorne ) performed by a mesmerising cast mixed with a great set / sound / lighting design to produce a magnificent piece of theatre under the directorship of Zoe Ford Burnett for its WE transfer.
With Gatiss and Flynn as Gielgud and Burton respectively this two simply owned the stage the entire time and were an absolute joy to watch as the relationship between Gielgud and Burton played out on stage. The combination of both Gatiss and Flynn worked really well together (Flynn’s portrayal of Burton particularly the voice was spot on) and for me there was a real on stage chemistry between the two guys. As for the rest of the cast, (Tuppence Middleton as Liz T as brilliant) everyone brought their A game tonight to tell this fascinating behind the scenes story to life.
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Post by capybara on Jan 3, 2024 23:23:33 GMT
How easy, or not, is getting rush tickets for this? And if so, where are the tickets generally situated in the theatre?
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Post by david on Jan 3, 2024 23:37:33 GMT
How easy, or not, is getting rush tickets for this? And if so, where are the tickets generally situated in the theatre? I got a rush ticket yesterday without any bother. I did some trial runs before yesterday and tickets I got sat me both in the stalls and royal circle over the different test runs capybara . I got stalls H8 yesterday for my visit.
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Post by capybara on Jan 5, 2024 0:33:14 GMT
Managed to get a rush ticket in Row N of the stalls this afternoon.
Very enjoyable play with some stellar performances. Flynn, Gatiss and Middleton were all superb in their portrayals.
Four stars.
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Post by bordeaux on Jan 5, 2024 16:00:01 GMT
This was my third National production in a two-day trip and rounded off the visit wonderfully - though 20 minutes in I was in the sceptical camp as it does take a while to get going. But, as many have said it's witty, moving, fascinating on Hamlet and the era and on the two main actors. I confess I had tears in my eyes at the end, especially when (like in a film) the 'what happened to the characters next' bits pop up. I'm glad Norris is enjoying a successful last two years.
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Post by ceebee on Jan 6, 2024 20:05:37 GMT
Thoroughly enjoyed this today - four stars from me with three excellent leads. Very moving ending and apt location for this play. Jack Thorne is a genius.
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Post by Rory on Jan 9, 2024 11:09:00 GMT
NT Live 21st March
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Post by threeletteracronym on Jan 9, 2024 13:03:20 GMT
Really pleased about this as did not fancy a London trip. Love NT Live (it's not the same as actual live, obviously, but if the alternative is not seeing something at all, then it's bloody brilliant).
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Post by amyja89 on Jan 17, 2024 17:48:00 GMT
Has anyone had any luck with rush tickets on the TodayTix app for this? Have been religiously trying at 10am on the dot and no luck so far!
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Post by Mark on Jan 17, 2024 18:05:46 GMT
Has anyone had any luck with rush tickets on the TodayTix app for this? Have been religiously trying at 10am on the dot and no luck so far! Managed to get one for my dad for Saturday matinee. It was in the grand circle row e
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Post by couldileaveyou on Jan 17, 2024 18:09:20 GMT
It's also on TKTS at the price of two rush tickets
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Post by Dr Tom on Jan 18, 2024 20:29:17 GMT
I saw this earlier in the week, Rush ticket right at 10am and was in Row F of the Dress Circle. I have tried before and not been successful, so this does seem to be selling well. A very clear view and everything was audible. I do prefer nearer the front, but this is fine.
I thought this was an excellent play. We did have a show stop about half an hour in, which delayed things, and there were definitely people eyeing the exit (and checking watches) near the end. Not much to add to the previous reviews, but I can certainly see this making a return in the future.
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Post by bee on Feb 11, 2024 18:58:27 GMT
Saw this yesterday. Thought it was marvellous, really quite exhilarating at times.
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Post by colelarson on Feb 12, 2024 14:22:52 GMT
Saw this Saturday evening and it was a real masterclass in acting, the story was really interesting and absorbing. An excellent script by Jack Thorne and great direction by Sam Mendes.
Johnny Flynn does so well with the Burton voice and mannerisms, as soon as you see him in the opening moments you know instantly who is Burton!
Mark Gatiss and Tuppence Middleton are also superb and in fact mesmerizing performances by all in the cast, very glad I got to see it as I couldn't get a Ticket at the National, a riveting play that should be up for all the awards!
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Post by amyja89 on Feb 15, 2024 1:21:04 GMT
Wow, I did not expect to be as moved by this as I was.
I'm the first to admit that I'm no Shakespeare connoisseur, and some of the more extended rehearsal passages did go over my head a little bit, but holy hell those final five minutes or so are some of the most striking I've seen on the stage.
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Post by solotheatregoer on Feb 15, 2024 17:05:40 GMT
Oh wow this was incredible. I was in two minds about booking this but what a masterclass it turned out to be. Stunning performances from the entire cast. Was front row and what an experience to see this close up. Johnny Flynn is incredible in this.
Easy five stars.
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