National Theatre Live Will Screen The Motive and the Cue and Nye

The National Theatre productions of The Motive and the Cue and Nye will be screened in cinemas this spring via the National Theatre Live series. The latter will be the 100th production in the series since its inception in 2009.

These titles join the previously announced screenings of Dear England (to be released January 25) and Vanya (February 22).

The Motive and the Cue—directed by Sam Mendes and starring Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud, Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton, and Tuppence Middleton as Elizabeth Taylor—will be released in cinemas worldwide March 21. Written by Jack Thorne, the play is inspired by the making of Richard Burton and Sir John Gielgud’s landmark Broadway production of Hamlet in 1964. Filmed live during its summer 2023 run at the National Theatre, The Motive and the Cue is currently running in London’s West End at the Noël Coward Theatre until March 23.

Nye, a new play written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris, will be broadcast live from the National April 23, with an audience made up of NHS charities, staff, and healthcare students attending free of charge. Michael Sheen will star as Aneurin "Nye" Bevan in this journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS. A co-production between the National and Wales Millennium Centre, the drama will play the Olivier February 24-May 11 before transferring to the Wales Millennium Centre May 18-June 1.

Norris, director of Nye, said in a statement, "I am immensely proud to be at the helm of the 100th National Theatre Live production, Nye. As we celebrate this significant milestone, it's a testament to the enduring commitment of National Theatre Live in bringing world-class theatre to audiences far and wide. Collaboration lies at the heart of National Theatre Live's success, and Nye exemplifies this spirit through its co-production with Wales Millennium Centre. Here's to the next 100 productions and the continued celebration of the transformative power of theatre."

Since the first screening in 2009 of Phèdre, the industry initiative has reached over 11 million people worldwide. National Theatre Live productions are regularly screened in over 2,000 venues across 65 countries.

Visit NTLive.com.