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''Network'' is a
play Play most commonly refers to: * Play (activity), an activity done for enjoyment * Play (theatre), a work of drama Play may refer also to: Computers and technology * Google Play, a digital content service * Play Framework, a Java framework * P ...
by Lee Hall, adapted from the 1976 film of the same name which had an
Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
–winning screenplay by
Paddy Chayefsky Sidney Aaron "Paddy" Chayefsky (January 29, 1923 – August 1, 1981) was an American playwright, screenwriter and novelist. He is the only person to have won three solo Academy Awards for writing both adapted and original screenplays. He was ...
and was directed by Sidney Lumet.


Production history

Howard_Beale_during_the_play_in_the_National_Theatre_production..html" ;"title="Howard_Beale_(Network).html" ;"title="Bryan Cranston as Howard_Beale_during_the_play_in_the_National_Theatre_production.">Howard_Beale_(Network).html"_;"title="Bryan_Cranston_as_Howard_Beale_(Network)">Howard_Beale_during_the_play_in_the_National_Theatre_production. The_play_premiered_in_the_Royal_National_Theatre#Lyttelton_Theatre.html" ;"title="Howard Beale (Network)">Howard Beale during the play in the National Theatre production.">Howard_Beale_(Network).html" ;"title="Bryan Cranston as Howard_Beale_during_the_play_in_the_National_Theatre_production. The_play_premiered_in_the_Royal_National_Theatre#Lyttelton_Theatre">Lyttleton_Theatre_at_the_[ Howard_Beale_during_the_play_in_the_National_Theatre_production. The_play_premiered_in_the_Royal_National_Theatre#Lyttelton_Theatre">Lyttleton_Theatre_at_the_Royal_National_Theatre">National_Theatre_in_London_on_13_November_2017_(following_previews_from_4_November)_and_ran_until_24_March_2018._The_production_was_directed_by_Ivo_van_Hove.html" ;"title="oyal_National_Theatre.html" ;"title="Howard Beale (Network)">Howard Beale during the play in the National Theatre production. The play premiered in the Royal National Theatre#Lyttelton Theatre">Lyttleton Theatre at the Royal National Theatre">National Theatre in London on 13 November 2017 (following previews from 4 November) and ran until 24 March 2018. The production was directed by Ivo van Hove">Ivo Van Hove and starred Bryan Cranston as Howard Beale (Network), Howard Beale. The play features set and lighting design by Jan Versweyveld, video design by Tal Yarden, costume design by An D'Huys, music by Eric Sleichim and sound design by Tom Gibbons. It was produced in association with Patrick Myles, David Luff, Ros Povey and Lee Menzies and supported by Marcia Grand for the memory of Richard Grand. The play also features a live onstage television studio and an onstage restaurant titled Foodwork, where audience members can enjoy a three-course meal while watching the play. The production premiered on
Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
at the
Belasco Theatre The Belasco Theatre is a Broadway theater at 111 West 44th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Originally known as the Stuyvesant Theatre, it was built in 1907 an ...
, with previews beginning on 10 November 2018 and officially opening on 6 December 2018. Originally, the production was scheduled to run for 18 weeks only to March 17, but has extended the run to April 28, 2019. Originally, the transfer was scheduled to play the
Cort Theatre The James Earl Jones Theatre, originally the Cort Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 138 West 48th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States. It was built in ...
, but following the early closure of ''
Gettin' the Band Back Together ''Gettin' the Band Back Together'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Mark Allen and a book by Ken Davenport and the Grundleshotz, a group of performers and writers including Sebastian Arcelus, Fred Berman, Michael Hirstreet, Jenna Coker Jones, ...
'', producers announced that the play would open at the Belasco Theatre. Cranston reprises the role of Howard Beale alongside
Tatiana Maslany Tatiana Gabriele Maslany ( ; born September 22, 1985) is a Canadian actress. She rose to prominence for playing multiple characters in the science fiction thriller television series ''Orphan Black'' (2013–2017), which won her a Primetime Emmy ...
in her Broadway debut as Diana Christensen and
Tony Goldwyn Anthony Howard Goldwyn (born May 20, 1960) is an American actor, singer, producer, director, and political activist. He made his debut appearing as Darren in the slasher film '' Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives'' (1986), and had his breakthr ...
as Max Schumacher.


Plot

The plot closely follows that of the 1976 film but uses stage devices and audio visual technology to immerse the audience as participants. The audience becomes part of the play both as diners and a studio audience. The distance between fact and fiction is reduced, mimicking the blurring of truth and fiction in contemporary news media.


Reception

The London production of the play received mostly rave reviews, singling out Cranston's performance." 'Network' starring Bryan Cranston at the National Theatre – review round-up"
''The Stage'', 16 November 2017


Cast and characters

The cast and crew of the National Theatre production (dated December 19, 2017)


Awards and nominations


Original London production


Original Broadway production


References


External links

* {{Lee Hall English plays Plays based on films 2017 plays Plays by Lee Hall (playwright) Plays set in New York City