Network (play)

Network is a play by Lee Hall, adapted from the 1976 film of the same name
Network
which had a Academy Award-winning screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky and was
directed by Sidney Lumet.

Contents
Production history
Plot
Reception
Characters and original cast
Awards and nominations
Original London production
References

Production history
The play premiered in the Lyttleton Theatre at the National Theatre in London
Poster for the National Theatre
on 13 November 2017 (following previews from 4 November) and ran until 24
production
March 2018. The production was directed by Ivo Van Hove and starred Bryan Written by Lee Hall (play)
Cranston as Howard Beale.[1][2] Paddy Chayefsky
(film)
The play features set and lighting design by Jan Versweyveld, video design by
Date premiered 13 November 2017
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, Place premiered Lyttleton Theatre,
David Luff, Ros Povey and Lee Menzies and supported by Marcia Grand for the National Theatre,
memory of Richard Grand.[3] London
Original language English
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.[4]

The production will premiere on Broadway at the Cort Theatre, with previews
beginning on 10 November 2018 and officially opening on 6 December 2018.
Cranston will reprise his role.[5]

Bryan Cranston as Howard Beale

Plot during the play in the National
Theatre production.
The plot closely followsthat of the 1976 film but uses stage devices and audio visual
technology to immerse the audience as participants. [6] 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.[7]

Reception
 [8][9][10]
The play received mixed to positive reviews singling out Cranston's performance.

Characters and original cast

Characters London (2017)
Howard Beale, anchorman Bryan Cranston
Harry Hunter, associate
Charles Babalola
producer
Max Schumer, Head of
Douglas Henshall
News
Frank Hackett, executive Tunji Kasim The cast and crew of the National
Theatre production (dated December
Louise, his wife Caroline Faber 19, 2017),
Ed Ruddy, chairman Michael Elwyn
Diana Christiensen,
Michelle Dockery
Director of Programming
Schlesinger, her
Evan Milton
researcher
Nelson Chaney, executive Tom Hodgkins
Jack Snowden, presenter Robert Gilbert
Mr Jensen, Head of UBS Richard Cordery
Director Ian Drysdale
Production Assistant Paksie Vermon
Floor Manager Stuart Nunn
Continuity Announcer Patrick Poletti
Tobi Bamtefa, Andrew Lewis, Beverly
Technicians
Longhurst, Rebecca Omogbehin
Secretary Isabelle Della-Porta
ELA Member Danny Szam

Awards and nominations

Original London production

Year Award Category Nominee Result

Critics' Circle
Best Actor Bryan Cranston Won
Theatre Award

WhatsOnStage Best Actor in a Play Bryan Cranston Nominated

Awards Best Video Design Tal Yarden Nominated
2018
Best New Play Nominated

Laurence Olivier Best Actor Bryan Cranston Won

Awards Best Lighting Design Jan Versweyveld Nominated
Best Sound Design Eric Sleichim Nominated
References
1. Brown, Mark (2017-01-27)."Bryan Cranston to star in National Theatre production ofNetwork" (https://www.theguard
ian.com/stage/2017/jan/27/bryan-cranston-star-uk-national-theatre-production-network)
. The Guardian. ISSN 0261-
3077 (https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 2017-07-10.
2. Kitchener, Shaun (2017-01-27)."Network, classic 1976 movie, returns with Bryan Cranston in London stage
adaptation" (http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/759587/Network-movie-1976-London-play-stage-show-
Bryan-Cranston). Daily Express. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
3. "New for 2017 and 2018"(https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/blog/new-2017-and-2018). www.nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Retrieved 2017-06-07.
4. Wiegand, Chris (2017-09-08)."The food Network: play starring Bryan Cranston becomes immersive dining
experience" (https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/sep/08/network-national-theatre-foodwork-bryan-cranston-ivo-
van-hove). the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
5. "Stage Version of 'Network,' Starring Bryan Cranston, Sets Broadway Opening"(https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/0
8/theater/bryan-cranston-network-broadway .html). Retrieved 2018-08-08.
6. "Network | National Theatre"(https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/network). www.nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Retrieved 2018-03-25.
7. Trueman, Matt (2017-11-14)."London Theater Review: Bryan Cranston in 'Network ' " (https://variety.com/2017/legit/r
eviews/network-review-bryan-cranston-1202612341/)
. Variety. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
8. Trueman, Matt (2017-11-14)."London Theater Review: Bryan Cranston in 'Network ' " (https://variety.com/2017/legit/r
eviews/network-review-bryan-cranston-1202612341/)
. Variety. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
9. Trueman, Matt (2017-11-14)."London Theater Review: Bryan Cranston in 'Network ' " (https://variety.com/2017/legit/r
eviews/network-review-bryan-cranston-1202612341/)
. Variety. Retrieved 2018-03-25.
10. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/nov/13/network-review-bryan-cranston-lyttelton-national-theatre-lee-
hall%7C Network review-Bryan Cranston is mad as hell in blazing staging of Oscar winner|Stage|The Guardian

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