Know Martin McDonagh better as a director, through his films 'In Bruges', 'Seven Psychopaths' and 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri'. Liked 'Seven Psychopaths', while having some serious reservations, and really liked and nearly loved the other two (again not considering either perfect). The most common flaw with all three being the "run out of gas" endings. All three though are exceptionally well made, written and cast. So there were high hopes.

High hopes that weren't diminished. Anyone who liked or loved McDonagh's films will, or at least should, find a lot to like about 'Hangmen' as a play, as all his trademark touches there in all three of the mentioned films are here. This National Theatre Live production is as good a way to get acquainted with it as one can get and it is a great production in its own right. Not among my favourite ever National Theatre Live screenings, but only because there are so many brilliant ones and picking favourites are hard.

In my opinion, the first half is better than the second half. The second half is still very good, it's still darkly funny and suspenseful and the structure is mostly very meticulous, but the latter stages start to run out of gas in momentum and the ending for my tastes is too convenient. Have found the endings to be the most common problem with McDonagh.

And it is a shame, because the rest of 'Hangmen' is wonderful. It starts with the single most chilling beginning of any National Theatre Live production and one of the most unsettling beginnings of any performance on stage, whether in cinema or live, in my opinion. Luckily such great promise continues all the way to the latter stages of the second half, with a dazzling display of dark rapid-fire wit, gritty and thrilling storytelling that explores a controversial subject with taste, moments of genuine unpredictability, dark truth, complex emotion, thought-provoking psychological elements and offbeat characters.

The performances are all eclectric, while David Morrissey gives a subtly intense and nuanced lead turn and Andy Nyman is both amusing and sensitive it is Johnny Flynn's menacing Mooney that steals the show.

Other than the writing and cast, a big strength is the production values. The sets especially are gorgeously designed and deliciously dour, which suits the play's tone to perfection.

Summarising, extremely good. 8/10

The comedy genre refers to a category of entertainment that aims to amuse and entertain audiences by using humor, wit, and comedic situations. Comedies are created with the primary intention of eliciting laughter and providing lighthearted enjoyment. They encompass a wide range of styles, tones, and themes, appealing to various tastes and audiences.

Will Ferrell, Angela Grillo, and Lap-Gei Cheung in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

Local hangman Harry is unaware of the recent abolition of hanging in Great Britain, and everyone, including his old assistant Syd, and the peculiar Mooney, are just dying to hear Harry's reaction to the news.

David Morrissey, Andy Nyman, and Johnny Flynn in National Theatre Live: Hangmen (2016)

The Biggest Movies and TV Coming in September

See which big screen releases you can watch from the comfort of your couch.

Theatrical Releases Coming to Streaming

See who dazzled on the red carpet and took home gold at the 78th Primetime Creative Emmy Awards.

Primetime Creative Arts Emmys: Photos We Love

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in National Theatre Live: Fleabag (2019)

National Theatre Live: Prima Facie (2022)

Andrew Scott in National Theatre Live: Vanya (2024)

Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch in National Theatre Live: Frankenstein (2011)

Helen McCrory in National Theatre Live: Medea (2014)

National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire

Gillian Anderson, Ben Foster, and Vanessa Kirby in National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire (2014)

Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen in National Theatre Live: No Man's Land (2016)

National Theatre Live: The Other Place (2025)

Johnny Flynn and Bronwyn James in National Theatre Live: Hangmen (2016)

David Morrissey and Andy Nyman in National Theatre Live: Hangmen (2016)

Ryan Pope, Simon Rouse, and Tony Hirst in National Theatre Live: Hangmen (2016)

David Morrissey, Ryan Pope, Sally Rogers, Simon Rouse, Craig Parkinson, Tony Hirst, and James Dryden in National Theatre Live: Hangmen (2016)

David Morrissey, Andy Nyman, Simon Rouse, and Josef Davies in National Theatre Live: Hangmen (2016)

Johnny Flynn in National Theatre Live: Hangmen (2016)

National Theatre Live: Hangmen

Videos1

Photos12

Top Cast13

User reviews1

More like this

Related interests

Storyline

Top picks

Details

Box office

Tech specs

Contribute to this page

More to explore

Recently viewed