The Motive and the Cue

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 7:05am

Saw the National Theatre Broadcast of The Motive and the Cue. Written by Jack Thorne. Directed by Sam Mendes.

The play focuses on the clash between John Gielgud (Mark Gatiss) and Richard Burton (Johnny Flynn) during rehearsals for Hamlet in 1964. Both actors capture the voices of the stars. Flynn's having a grand time portraying Burton's hamminess. But there are no stakes. Burton's at the peak of his career and will clearly find more work regardless if the play succeeds. The big revelation that

 

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Burton hated his father seems old hat. What artist didn't hate at least one of their parents?

Gielgud's at his most vulnerable when discussing loneliness and homophobia. But, again, that's no surprise to anyone.

I did get tired of scenes where actors tell other actors how noble acting is. It grew very treacly by the end.
 

The work was nominated for Best Play at the Oliviers. I don't see a great need for it to transfer to Broadway despite focusing on a bit of Broadway history. I searched for the play on the message board and no thread popped up. Has anyone here seen it?

[JasonC3]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 7:12am

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1153810

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 7:16am

Thank you. I'm not sure why this wasn't appearing. I appreciate the link.

Mods are welcome to delete this thread if it's in the way.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 4/21/24 at 8:45am

Search here is always a bit underwhelming.

I found it using "Motive", subject line only, for posts beginning 01/01/2023.  Got lucky I guess.