Network is a play by Lee Hall, adapted from the 1976 film of the same name which had an Academy Award–winning screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky and was directed by Sidney Lumet.
Production history
The play premiered in the Lyttleton Theatre at the 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 and starred Bryan Cranston as Howard Beale.
The play featured 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 featured a live onstage television studio and an onstage restaurant titled Foodwork, where audience members could enjoy a three-course meal while watching the play.
The production premiered on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre, 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 17 March, but extended multiple times before closing on 8 June 2019, the day before Cranston won the Tony.McPhee, Ryan. " 'Network', Starring Bryan Cranston, Extends Broadway Engagement" Playbill, 12 December 2018 Originally, the transfer was scheduled to play the Cort Theatre, but following the early closure of Gettin' the Band Back Together, producers announced that the play would open at the Belasco Theatre. Cranston reprises the role of Howard Beale alongside Tatiana Maslany in her Broadway debut as Diana Christensen and Tony Goldwyn 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. The play's most significant diversion from the film is a final monologue delivered by Howard Beale. Freed in death from his derangement, Beale warns about the destructive nature of absolute beliefs, urging the audience to instead exercise compassion and connection.
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
Characters London (2017)Broadway (2018)Howard Beale, anchormanBryan CranstonHarry Hunter, associate producerCharles BabalolaJulian Elijah MartinezMax Schumacher, head of NewsDouglas HenshallTony GoldwynFrank Hackett, executiveTunji KasimJoshua BooneLouise, Schumacher's wifeCaroline FaberAlyssa BresnahanEd Ruddy, chairmanMichael ElwynRon CanadaDiana Christensen, director of ProgrammingMichelle DockeryTatiana MaslanySchlesinger, her researcherEvan MiltonSusannah PerkinsNelson Chaney, executiveTom HodgkinsFrank WoodJack Snowden, presenterRobert GilbertBarzin AkhavanArthur Jensen, head of UBSRichard CorderyNick WymanDirectorIan DrysdaleBill TimoneySheila, production assistantPaksie VernonNicole VillamilFloor managerStuart NunnJason BabinskyContinuity announcerPatrick PolettiHenry StramTechniciansTobi BamtefaAndrew LewisBeverly LonghurstRebecca OmogbehinGina DanielsNicholas GuestJoe PaulikJeena YiSecretaryIsabelle Della-PortaCamila Canó-FlaviáELA memberDanny SzamEric Chayefsky
Awards and nominations
Original London production Year Award Category Nominee ResultCritics' Circle Theatre AwardBest ActorBryan Cranston WhatsOnStage Awards Best Actor in a Play Bryan Cranston Best Video DesignTal Yarden Laurence Olivier Awards Best New Play Best Actor Bryan Cranston Best Lighting Design Jan Versweyveld Best Sound DesignEric Sleichim
Original Broadway production YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultTony AwardsBest Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a PlayBryan CranstonBest Direction of a PlayIvo van HoveBest Scenic Design of a PlayJan VersweyveldBest Lighting Design of a PlayJan Versweyveld and Tal YardenBest Sound Design of a PlayEric SeichimOuter Critics Circle AwardsOutstanding New Broadway PlayOutstanding Projection Design (Play or Musical)Tal YardenOutstanding Sound Design (Play or Musical)Eric SleichimOutstanding Actor in a PlayBryan CranstonDrama League AwardsOutstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway MusicalDistinguished Performance AwardBryan Cranston
References
External links – official site at National Theatre