{"id":158148,"date":"2024-01-11T21:47:48","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T17:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/?p=158148"},"modified":"2024-01-15T12:07:32","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T08:07:32","slug":"the-motive-and-the-cue-review-a-love-letter-to-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/the-motive-and-the-cue-review-a-love-letter-to-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"The Motive and the Cue review | A love letter to theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"

Embark on a theatrical journey of fame and rivalry at the Noel Coward Theatre<\/a>, where Jack Thorne\u2019s<\/b> The Motive and the Cue is playing. This is a witty and clever but very \u201ctheatrical\u201d spectacle, in which he uses Richard Burton\u2019s<\/b> successful Hamlet on Broadway in 1964 to examine the craft of acting and the lure of fame. This is a play that feeds on the savvy manipulation of showbiz myths. But also on the contrast and tension of opposites: cinema vs theatre, innovation vs tradition; emotion vs commitment.<\/p>\n

Jack Thorne’s love letter to theatre<\/h2>\n

Burton, a fiery, working-class hero, is indulging in sex and alcohol with his stunning new film star wife Liz Taylor. His director for Hamlet is Sir John Gielgud: theatrical aristocracy, discreetly homosexual, living on past achievements. A new generation of celebrity photographers is crowding the hotel where Burton keeps Taylor as a captive queen, afraid she might \u201cprovoke arousal\u201d among the cast if she attended rehearsals. All three main characters are envious of each other, but it\u2019s the relationship between the two men \u2013 both renowned Hamlets, and sons of disappointing fathers \u2013 that prevails.<\/p>\n

Adding more layers, we have Thorne (Skins, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), superstar director Sam Mendes<\/b> (Lehman Trilogy, Skyfall), and Johnny Flynn, Mark Gatiss<\/b> and Tuppence Middleton<\/b> in the main roles, each bringing a different mix of stage-and-screen fame to the table. Those who catch all the references and jokes and know Hamlet inside out \u2013 hardcore theatre geeks like me \u2013 will probably adore it. Others may find it too arrogant and self-referential. It\u2019s gracefully composed and performed. Flynn and Gatiss successfully emulate Burton\u2019s rough, grumbling speech and Gielgud\u2019s soaring musicality without resorting to outright imitation. Physically, the former is ambitious, cocky, aggressive, prowling the stage with a restless energy, looking for a challenge.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The latter is priestly and reserved, using his sharp humour like a sword. There are some brilliant lines. \u201cYou shout wonderfully,\u201d Gielgud tells Burton, adding a snide comparison to his rival, Laurence Olivier. Oh God, now I\u2019m doing the arrogant, I-get-the-joke thing\u2026 Middleton impresses even though this Liz T is a vague collection of curves, quips and explanations. But again, Thorne smartly plays both sides. While the boys rant about art and truth it\u2019s the flat sex symbol who really understands herself and her role in the entertainment world. Es Devlin\u2019s set, too, is smart, sliding panels opening and closing to show the bare rehearsal room, or the pink suite through which Middleton\u2019s Taylor sneaks like a sexually-frustrated leopard. To balance the Burton-Taylor hormone-fest, Thorne writes a gentle, restrained scene between Gielgud and a male escort \u2013 a further expression of the dualism within Shakespeare\u2019s play.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Almost all theatre-makers prefer the process of creation to the final product. Gielgud\u2019s \u201crehearsal staging\u201d of Hamlet (played as if it\u2019s at the final rehearsal, in modern dress) and The Motive and the Cue both try to capture the heady exploration and conflict that occurs before an artwork is \u201cfinished\u201d. Thorne\u2019s play does so very well but I doubt most people \u2013 especially those outside the hardcore geek demographic, those that theatres surely want to attract \u2013 are more interested in product than process.<\/p>\n

The Motive and the Cue review | What the critics think<\/h2>\n

\u201cShakespeare fans will not be disappointed as we are treated to a flurry of Hamlet snippets and facts, with the father issues in Hamlet neatly mirrored by Burton\u2019s own situation.\u201d \u2014 Cara Brazier, West End Best Friend<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cJohnny Flynn and Mark Gatiss are sensational in the National Theatre\u2019s transferring Richard Burton drama.\u201d \u2014 Andrzej Lukowski, Time Out<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOne thing is for sure: it\u2019s a play that epitomises the epithet \u2018A love letter to theatre\u2019.\u201d \u2014 Julia Rank, London Theatre<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere the play comes alive is in Gielgud\u2019s story and Gatiss\u2019s performance.\u201d \u2014 Arifa Akbar, The Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n

How to buy The Motive and the Cue play tickets in London?<\/h2>\n

Looking for budget-friendly tickets for The Motive and the Cue play in London? Book your tickets online! Enjoy last-minute availability, choose your seats using the Noel Coward Theatre seating plan<\/a>, and skip the queues by booking at your convenience.<\/p>\n

BUY THE MOTIVE AND THE CUE TICKETS<\/span><\/a>\"LondonLondon Theatre Guide <\/a><\/p>\n

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Tried & Tested Hacks to Get Cheap West End Tickets in London<\/h2>\n

<\/a>Want to watch London theatre without splurging on it? Our guide to getting cheap West End tickets has all that you need – best tickets, shows & more! <\/a><\/p>\n

Other Top Rated London Theatre Shows<\/h2>\n

More West End Guides<\/h2>\n

For more West End information, here are some helpful quick links!<\/p>\n

\"CheapHow To Buy Cheap West End Tickets <\/a> \"BestBest West End Shows in London <\/a> \"WestA-Z London Theatre Seating Plans <\/a> \"WestEverything About West End London <\/a><\/p>\n

Be sure to check out our guide on the seating plan for West End theatres<\/a>!<\/p>\n

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Save \u00a37<\/strong> on your first booking with Headout when you use promo code GOLDN<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Embark on a theatrical journey of fame and rivalry at the Noel Coward Theatre, where Jack Thorne\u2019s The Motive and the Cue is playing. This is a witty and clever but very \u201ctheatrical\u201d spectacle, in which he uses Richard Burton\u2019s successful Hamlet on Broadway in 1964 to examine the craft of acting and the lure […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":169,"featured_media":158613,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2315,547],"tags":[6745,6994,6284,7010,6999,7120],"yoast_head":"\nThe Motive and the Cue Review | London Theatre | Headout<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"London\u2019s The Motive and the Cue review is out now! Catch Jack Thorne's witty take on Richard Burton's Hamlet on Broadway, at the Noel Coward Theatre. 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