Sam Mendes and Jack Thorne collaborate on new play about the making of the legendary Richard Burton and John Gielgud, Broadway production of “Hamlet”

Exclusive: Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (1917) contacted the recognized Its dark materials Writer Jack Thorne on stage for a new project that explores legendary actors Richard Burton and John Gielgud Village on Broadway in 1964, with a little help from Elizabeth Taylor.

The result of two years of writing and workshops is the play written by Thorne reason and allusionwhich Mendes will shoot on the Lyttelton stage of the UK’s National Theater in spring 2023. With such a heavy weight, he already has considerable weight and performance feel.

The high-profile show is a co-production between the National Theater and Neal Street Productions, an independent company owned by All3Media founded nearly 20 years ago by Mendes with film and television producer Pippa Harris and Caro Newling, who manages its theater division. . reason and allusion Following the fruitful collaboration between NT and Neal Street Productions The Lehman trilogy Also directed by Mendes, who won top awards at this year’s Tony Awards.

NT and Newling confirmed the production news after being contacted by Deadline.

essays reason and allusion It will start in late January or early February and tickets will go on sale via the NT website before the end of the year, we understand.

According to Newling, casting is underway for the actors to play Gielgud, Burton and Taylor, who was considered the biggest movie star in the world at the time.

The scenography is by Es Devlin, the costumes by Katrina Lindsay and the lighting design by John Clarke. The trio worked it all out. The Lehman trilogy. The sound design is by Paul Ardith and Benjamin Quasi Burrell signed to compose.

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Thorne told Deadline that the project began during the lockdown when Mendes discovered two unedited books (by Richard Stern John Gielgud in Richard Burton’s Hamlet and William Redfield letters from the actor) who staged the famous nude and clothed version of Shakespeare Villagewhich Gielgud shot in April 1964 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater in New York. He played Burton as the tragic Prince of Denmark and was released just a month after Burton and Taylor’s first marriage.

In letters from the actorRedfield, who portrayed Guildenstern in the comedy, told friends in a series of obscene letters, details of the ride in Toronto before New York and 137 performances. Village in Lant-Fontaine.

Thorne recalled that Mendez had called him with the idea. “And when Sam Mendes asks you to dance with him, you dance,” said the writer, also known for shows like This is England, disappears Y a national treasure.

Gielgud, who was supposed to win an Oscar for his supporting role in a comedy Arthur In 1982, he was a classic creature of the scene; Imbued with Shakespeare, he played his own version of The Lone Dane in the 1930s and returned frequently to the role of him. Burton should note that he first saw Hamlet when Gielgud resumed his production in the 1940s, later writing the role in a 1953 production at the Old Vic.

“Gielgud played Lear at 26,” Thorne marveled. “He was a man who knew Shakespeare inside and out and felt that his great destiny was to be the greatest Shakespearean actor of his generation of him.”

Thorne said motive and allusion, whose title is taken from a fragment of the action – the second monologue Village“explores the beauty of these two eras of theatrical encounter and what it was like,” adding, “Burton was as strong as ever. Seeing the two meet Village Together, when they work from two different places, it was incredibly fascinating.

Fortunately, this writer interviewed Burton in 1981. He recalled that it was Taylor who gave him “the passion and vitality” to keep going in 1964. Village When he started fighting at the behest of Gielgud. That year was Shakespeare’s 400th birthday and the anniversary saw many productions of Shakespeare’s plays around the world.

Even if he doesn’t want to reveal too many details reason and allusion At this early stage, Thorne admitted that due to the Burton-Taylor element, the comedy may also address the nature of fame “a little”.

With the help of friends in New York, Neil Street Newling was able to find Adam Redfield, a son. Author’s letters Writer William Redfield found it John Gielgud in Richard Burton’s Hamlet Author Stern, who has “phenomenal knowledge and records” and was “a mine of information”. Neil Street secured primary rights to both works.

Meanwhile, Mendes continues to work on his latest film. empire of lightthat Searchlight Pictures will be released in theaters on December 9th. It is expected to screen at at least one of the upcoming fall film festivals and features a cast that includes Olivia Colman, Michael Ward, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Tanya Moody, Crystal Clarke, and Tom Brook. .