The Motive and The Cue - Enzian Theater

Sam Mendes (The Lehman Trilogy) directs Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton in this fierce and funny new play.

1964: Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway 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.

Written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and designed by Es Devlin (The Crucible), this Evening Standard award-winning best new play was filmed live during a sold-out run at the National Theatre.

Purchase a Season Pass to attend both National Theatre Live performances and receive discounted admission, as well as a complimentary glass of house wine, coffee, or tea at each show!

Members that are Contributor level or above and Season Passholders are able to make a table reservation for this series. Reservations can only be made after a ticket or Season Pass has been purchased and are limited. Please make sure to have your confirmation number ready to provide to the box officer at time of your reservation.

2023, 172 Minutes, UK, Directed by Zoe Ford and Sam Mendes, Unrated

In partnership with

"‘A two-hander writ large, with multi-hyphenate folk singer and screen star Johnny Flynn taking on Burton’s charismatic, boozy bluster and Mark Gatiss launching himself into a condescending but sensitive Gielgud. Under the direction of Sam Mendes, both are sensational."
– Leonie Cooper, TIME OUT
"Mendes’s graceful production conjures an image that captures why any actor wants to play this role, what they are trying to achieve, and why we want to watch it. It’s soft to say theatre is magical, but in this moment it really is: ghosts are truly summoned."
– Jessie Thompson, INDEPENDENT
"One thing is for sure: it’s a play that epitomises the epithet ‘A love letter to theatre’."
– Julia Rank, LONDON THEATRE