Last month, "The Motive and the Cue" moved to the West End (originally staged at the National Theatre), symbolically finding a home at the Noël Coward Theatre, where John Gielgud played Hamlet back in 1934.
After less than two weeks of our read-along of "Emails from an Actor," I was so excited to see this play that I could hardly breathe when I saw "Day 1, The Play’s the Thing" projected on the black curtain! Honestly, this has been the best play I’ve seen in the last four or five months (and I go to the West End almost every week). The entire production revolves around the captivating power struggle between the legendary John Gielgud and the flamboyant Richard Burton, with Elizabeth Taylor acting as a calming force. Act one, aptly titled "The Motive," explodes with conflict, culminating in a public humiliation of Gielgud by Burton, and the second act, “The Cue,” focuses on the peace process and completes with reconciliation and a successful premiere. It’s rare to find an end of the play stronger and more cathartic than an end of the first act, but this play achieves it beautifully.
Johnny Flynn breathes life into Burton, portraying him as charismatic, expressive, and loud, yet hinting at hidden demons. However, I felt that he was trying too hard to mimic Burton's voice and mannerisms. Flynn's natural voice doesn't have the same level of hoarseness, so much of his performance feels more like an impersonation.
Tuppence Middleton steals the show as Taylor. Her captivating presence shines in every scene, offering a nuanced portrayal that deconstructs the stereotypical image of the airheaded Hollywood beauty. The connection she forms with Luke Norris' William Redfield, based on their shared childhood experiences as actors, is a delightful highlight. Redfield is arguably the most prominent supporting character, and his presence is impactful. But, unfortunately, there was no Sterne.
The real star and the absolute best part of it all was Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud. He is so natural in this role: knowledgeable, gentle, charismatic, witty, and extremely vulnerable. (By the end, you yearn to offer him a comforting hug.) This is exactly how I imagined Gielgud from what I’ve read so far in Redfield’s and Sterne’s texts. During the first rehearsals, Mark Gatiss even did something mentioned by Sterne: “he was also acting all the parts with the actors, mouthing the lines, reflecting the emotions in his facial expressions, and kinesthetically making all the gestures.” It was so lovely! And he did many things described by Redfield as part of Gielgud's ‘directing style.’ It was amusing to recognize quotes from both Redfield and Sterne throughout the whole play, even if repurposed for different situations.
The staging was both beautiful and smart. They used three locations: the big white rehearsal room, the smaller red hotel room (of Burton and Taylor), and the smallest blue room (of Gielgud). This last room was the most intimate space, where Redfield came for acting advice (and Gielgud told him that his advice cannot make him a better actor) and where Gielgud himself brought a sex worker boy ('I just wanted to do something reckless') – this is the most touching scene! I also liked the production’s attention to details: for example, when Taylor and Burton host a party in their room, we see vases with flowers – roses and tulips, and when we return to their room a few days later, we see these same flowers withered!
I really enjoyed the play. It was a captivating blend of wit, intelligence, and genuine tenderness. And it was nice to see our guys 'alive.' Gatiss/Gielgud is my big love! The whole experience made me very emotional.
The three rooms:
Our boy William (Luke Norris):
Mark Gatiss/John Gielgud:
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“I’m not jealous, it’s just your mine” insta edi with hughes!reader x lando where she gets a bunch of comments from guys and lando gets jealous
Y/n Hughes x Lando Norris
*photo from Pinterest
Liked by trevorzegras f1 and others
Y/n_hughes Australia you have the most amazing beaches
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User2 Mommy? sorry Mommy...
landonorris 😍🔥
F1fan Have my kids, please
Y/n&landoship on behalf of everyone's feed thank you
*liked by Y/n_hughes
lhughes_06 Put some clothes on Jesus
IRL
"Lando, what's wrong?" I asked, noting the subtle shift in his demeanor ever since I posted that photo of myself. His response came curtly, tinged with an uncharacteristic edge, "Nothing, Y/N, just drop it." Yet, the tension in his voice spoke volumes.
Sensing there was more beneath the surface, I pressed gently, "Are you jealous?" The question hung in the air. Lando's denial was swift, but not entirely convincing, "No, I'm not jealous. It's just... you're mine, and I hate it when people comment weird stuff like 'mommy' or anything as if you belong to anyone else."
His words carried a possessiveness that I hadn't encountered before, mingled with a hint of vulnerability. As he spoke, I could sense the insecurity lurking beneath his usually confident exterior.
Moved by his admission, I stepped closer, enveloping him in a comforting embrace. Our embrace spoke volumes, conveying a silent understanding that transcended words. And in that shared embrace, we found a moment of respite from the complexities of our feelings, a sanctuary where our connection remained steadfast and unwavering.
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✧ 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐘 𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐄'𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐒 ♔
a list of all of my favorite fics that i have read
all fic recs can also be found here ➵ fic recs! or under 'sunny lune's fic recs'
fics sorted into categories, then organized by person
✎ NHL ⇘ : :
➺ hurt romance | nico hischier ➵ @sc0tters
⤷ extra notes: i freaking loved this, i was looking for a fic with hurt nico
➺ rest time | nico hischier ➵ @heavenlyhischier
⤷ extra notes: i love abby's writing, that's all
➺ ice princess | nico hischier ➵ @emaanemaa
⤷ extra notes: this was so adorable, i giggled when ever nico said princess
➺ don't worry, i'm here | nico hischier ➵ @leaentries
⤷ extra notes: more nico comfort
➺ christmas tree farm | nico hischier ➵ @lvrzegras
➺ shield | nico hischier ➵ @leaentries
⤷ extra notes: protective nico is my drug
➺ i'm not letting you drive home in this condition | nico hischier ➵ @generalllimaginesss
➺ missing you | nico hischier ➵ @sc0tters
⤷ extra notes: too good not to tell you about
➺ clockwork | nico hischier ➵ @kelseys-version
⤷ extra notes: nico and taylor? esepcially tonight (2/17) sold
➺ off-limits | nico hischier ➵ @hischierhoney
⤷ extra notes: this was the perfect mix of cute/adorable and hilarious. i couldn't tell you how many times i actually laughed out loud because of this. and plus, it's nico x hughes!sister a guilty pleasure of mine
➺ felt feelings | jack hughes ➵ @sc0tters
⤷ extra notes: amber is a reoccuring theme here, so deal with it
➺ jack blurb ➵ @luke-hughes43
➺ late night blues | jack hughes ➵ @sweetestdesire
⤷ extra notes: I will never get over her fics, ever. jack made me swoon here
➺ 4:41 am | jack hughes ➵ @sweetestdesire
⤷ extra notes: this made me want ice cream but it was comforting
➺ the start of it all | jack hughes ➵ @babydollmarauders
⤷ extra notes: part of her el!hughes au, it's so adorable, i read it more times then i would like to admit
➺ pieces | luke hughes ➵ @gisellaswrld
⤷ extra notes: this was so heartbreaking but it was so comforting
➺ breathless | luke hughes ➵ @goldengleams
⤷ extra notes: i love these types of fics
➺ dawn awakening | luke hughes ➵ @sweetestdesire
⤷ extra notes: giggling, screaming, kicking my feet, giggling more
➺ sara | luke hughes ➵ @angelicsoka
⤷ extra notes: i knew i was going to be obsessed with this as soon as i read the first line and i was so blown away with her writing! read the trigger warnings, of course, but definitely give this a read if you won’t be triggered, it’s an absolutely beautiful piece of work
➺ missin' you | luke hughes ➵ @bluewxrld07
⤷ extra notes: my luke side was strong when i read this, it was so so so good
➺ viktory kisses | quinn hughes ➵ @wintfleur
⤷ extra notes: the fact that this is the only quinn fic on here is criminal, i need more (loved this fic!)
➺ jealous quinn blurb ➵ @thedevilrisen
⤷ extra notes: i audibly giggled after reading this (and during too)
➺ a guided hand | quinn hughes ➵ @sweetestdesire
⤷ extra notes: it's quinn and brynn! (also it's her birthday as i'm writing this so go send her love... do it)
➺ the accident | quinn hughes ➵ @bedsyandco
⤷ extra notes: part of an au but it's so good, please read it. i have a soft spot for these kind of fics (and quinn)
➺ this is me trying | hughes!sister ➵ @aliaology
⤷ extra notes: hughes!sister is my favorite thing on my planet, so is this fic
➺ all-american bitch | hughes!sister + luca fantilli ➵ @luvhughes43
⤷ extra notes: hughes!sister, need i say more?
➺ i look at you wondering where your mind is at; you're the first choice in my heart always | brock boeser x hughes!sister ➵ @gisellaswrld
➺ how you get the girl | connor bedard ➵ @lvrzegras
⤷ extra notes: taylor swift and connor bedard? sold, take my money
➺ connor blurb/insta edit ➵ @ijustreallylovethem
⤷ extra notes: raegan!!!!
➺ kisses & cuddles | connor bedard ➵ @huggybearluvr
⤷ extra notes: connor girlies, this is for you... read it!
➺ linear progress | cole caufield ➵ @bagopucks
⤷ extra notes: i'm still sobbing and thinking about this
➺ unspoken titles | jamie drysdale ➵ @sc0tters
⤷ extra notes: i wasn't sure if i felt worse or better after reading this fic (jamie trade)
➺ catching flights | luca fantilli ➵ @missjomarch
➺ miss you, quietly | luca fantilli ➵ @bitchinbarzal
⤷ extra notes: i sobbed, multiple times, even after i read it
➺ talk to you | fraser minten ➵ @bitchinbarzal
⤷ extra notes: this was so fucking adorable, i can't
✎ F1 ⇘ : :
➺ me and you vs. the world | lando norris ➵ @theemporium
➺ breaking point | landoscar ➵ @adventuringblind
➺ pretty woman moment | max verstappen ➵ @pucksandpower
⤷ extra notes: i love pretty woman and i love max verstappen
✎ AU'S ⇘ : :
➺ waking up in vegas | matthew tkachuk x hughes!sister ➵ @doc-pickles
⤷ extra notes: i was hooked immediately
➺ feather | luke hughes ➵ @diorsluv
⤷ extra notes: i got serve emotional whiplash from this, you won't regret it
➺ penalty box | trevor zegras ➵ @starsandhughes
⤷ extra notes: probably one of the first, if not the first nhl thing I’ve read on here, both series and fic wise. fell in love immediately and I never stop thinking about them. kay is one of my favorite writers and I will never get over or stop talking about her writing
➺ cover me in sunshine | gabe perreault ➵ @hischier-papaya
⤷ extra notes: you best believe that all of the au's i am secretly in on with cam are going on here once she gets them posted. i am so fucking excited for this au, gabe and ollie are gonna be my roman empire
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