The Motive and the Cue

[JennyWreny]

I've booked to see this. Trying not to give any spoilers but I know it's based on a real event/s and I'd like to read more about it before I see the play. Has anyone seen it and could suggest any good pre-show reading/watching. Thinking I should at least watch the play that's within the play IYKWIM.

[Blackcountryexile]

Apparently it is based on Letters From an Actor by William Redfield and John Gielgud Directs Richard Burton in Hamlet by Richard L Stern. Found on SeatPlan website.

[beeswain]

Read Hamlet! I saw it last weekend - it's fabulous.

[Ohyoudodoyou]

It is amazing!! Best thing I saw last year and I saw a lot last year.
Mark Gatiss is phenomenal - I think he is a superb character actor.
The end!!! Goose bumps!!!

[JennyWreny]

Thanks @Blackcountryexile I've just had a look and they aren't available at my local library and (I guess unsurprisingly) seem to be tricky to get hold of but think I might have found the first one at WH Smith.

@beeswain I found Burton's Hamlet on YouTube in full so will probably try and watch that.

I was looking at the cast list and while "Johnny Flynn - Richard Burton (Hamlet)" is fairly straightforward, some of the others are confusing. I def need to read/watch Hamlet beforehand and maybe google some of the other characters - Gielgud's assistant Jessica Levy for example.

Very excited to go and see it now!!!

Thank you everyone

[Chitterchatterchoo]

I think it might be helpful to read/watch Hamlet before, but having said that it’s an enjoyable play even without recent Hamlet refresher!

[Floralovesflowers]

@JennyWreny have you seen the play yet? How was it?

I'm just about to book tickets so be good to hear your view.

Have seen Hamlet a few times & studied the play at school but will definitely look for the Burton version.

[JennyWreny]

@Floralovesflowers I saw it yesterday! It was fantastic. I loved it! Definitely go and see it if you can. I watched Andrew Scott's Hamlet (because I'm still sad I missed Vanya last year) which is on YouTube. I started watching RB Hamlet, but found it a bit difficult to follow because of the quality (understandable). I also watched the Gielgud interview with David Frost and the Burton interview with Parkinson. They are both on YouTube.

[Floralovesflowers]

Thanks for replying @JennyWreny , glad you enjoyed it.

I've booked the tickets so really looking forward to it.

Sort you missed Andrew Scott's Uncle Vanya -it's showing in cinemas in a couple weeks so could see it then. I've booked for that too.

[Nortono]

I found it really boring and left in the interval