National Theatre Live: GOOD with David Tennant
Sun. April 14, 2024 at 3pm
by C.P. Taylor
directed by Dominic Cooke
A production from FICTIONHOUSE
Playful Productions
Running time: 2 hours and 15 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.
An extract by David Benedict from the GOOD West End program.
When World War II ended and the horrific scale of Nazi crimes against humanity began to be more fully exposed, Cecil Philip Taylor was not quite sixteen years old. That, decades later in his play GOOD, he could write so vividly and dramatically about the
terrifying thinking that underpinned that era – and the behavior of those who found themselves wrapped up in it – points to the strength and depth of his talent as a playwright.
Taylor evaluated his themes and how he approached them as: ‘The conflicts between man’s ideals and his limitations. Every play is about particular people, particular periods, particular incidents. The universal comes from a close and accurate study of the particular.’
The play’s power and success would and should have marked a fresh direction in Taylor’s career had he not suddenly died five months prior to the run. But although GOOD remains his best-known play, the swiftest glance at his career reveals that he was anything but a one-hit wonder.
Halder: David Tennant
Maurice: Elliot Levey
Helen: Sharon Small
Hoss: Jim Creighton
Ensemble: Rebecca Bainbridge, Izaak Cainer, Harry Napier, Edie Newman, Lizzie Schenk, George Todica
Other roles played by Elliot Levey and Sharon Small
Director: Dominic Cooke
Set and Costume Designer: Vicki Mortimer
Lighting Designer: Zoe Spurr
Sound Design: Tom Gibbons
Musical Arrangement and Composition: Will Stuart
Movement Director: Imogen Knight
Casting Director: Amy Ball CDG
Director for Screen: Tim Van Someren
Technical Producer: Christopher C. Bretnall
Lighting Director: Gemma O’Sullivan
Sound Supervisor: Conrad Fletcher
Script Supervisor: Laura Vallis
Established by Dominic Cooke and Kate Horton, Fictionhouse is an independent producing company, developing and making drama for television, film and theatre. Central to the idea of Fictionhouse is the Directors’ relationships with top writing, acting and directing talent, alongside their skill in developing and producing distinctive drama.
fictionhouse.co.uk
Playful Productions is one of the most eminent theatre producers and full-service general management companies in the
West End. By proudly combining artistry with business expertise, Playful strives to deliver the highest quality entertainment for audiences around the world.
playfuluk.com
National Theatre Live distributes world-class theater straight from stages across the United Kingdom to cinema screens around the world.
Working with the best of British theater companies and producers, we simultaneously broadcast live theater to cinemas in the UK, Europe and sometimes North America, as well as capturing the live performance for encore screenings in other territories.
Our live broadcasts and screenings have been seen by over 10.7 million people in 2,500 cinemas in 65 countries since we launched in 2009.