Today, the National Theatre announced that Director Rufus Norris is to step down as Director in mid-2025 after ten years. The news was accompanied by an announcement of 12 new productions and West End transfers for Standing at the Sky’s Edge and The Motive and the Cue.
Directed by Sam Mendes and written by Jack Thorne, The Motive and the Cue is set to run at the Noël Coward Theatre from 9 December 2023 until 23 March 2024. Co-produced with Neal Street Productions, Johnny Flynn, Mark Gatiss and Tuppence Middleton will return to play the iconic roles of Richard Burton, John Gielgud and Elizabeth Taylor.
This fierce and funny play by Jack Thorne offers a glimpse into the politics of a rehearsal room and the relationship between art and celebrity.
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.
Agency Client Sam Mendes is represented by Katie Haines.