ROCKLAND — The Strand Theatre will screen a National Theatre Live captured-live stage production of The Motive and the Cue on Thursday, May 9, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

“Sam Mendes (The Lehman Trilogy) directs Mark Gatiss as John Gielgud and Johnny Flynn as Richard Burton in this fierce and funny new play by Jack Thorne,” said the Strand, in a news release.

The action is set in 1964, as Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under John Gielgud’s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration between actor and director soon threatens to unravel.

Written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and designed by Es Devlin (The Crucible), the Evening Standard award-winning best new play was filmed live during a sold-out run at the National Theatre.

This production is rated R.

Running time is 3 hours, including one intermission.

Tickets are $15/General Admission, $12/Strand Members, and are available at the Strand website at www.RocklandStrand.com or at the door 30 minutes prior to show time.

The Strand Theatre is located at 345 Main St., Rockland.