National Theatre Live: The Motive and the Cue

Play by Jack Thornedirected by Sam MendesThe fierce and funny five-star play returns to the big screen.

Sam Mendes (The Lehman Trilogy) directs Mark Gatiss in an Olivier Award-winning performance as John Gielgud.1964: Richard Burton (Johnny Flynn), newly married to Elizabeth Taylor (Tuppence Middleton), is set to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under Gielgud’s exacting direction.

But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.From multi-award-winning writer Jack Thorne (Adolescence), this acclaimed production was filmed live during its sold-out London run in 2023.Press Quotes★★★★★ ‘Mark Gatiss is superb as Sir John Gielgud’ - Financial Times★★★★ ‘A love letter to theatre’ - Evening Standard★★★★ ‘Will give you goosebumps’ - Independent★★★★★ ‘Immaculately directed by Sam Mendes’ - Times★★★★★ ‘A witty, deft, touching evocation of a fascinating, fraught encounter’ - Telegraph