Whether it’s your favourite novel of all time, or just something that was foisted upon you during your English GCSE, you’ve probably happened across To Kill A Mockingbird by now. The ground-breaking novel celebrated its sixtieth anniversary of publication in 2020, and in a timely arrival, the critically-adored Broadway stage version of the novel pitched up at London’s Gielgud Theatre. And handily, as it continues its London run, we’ve got your tickets lined up for as little as £33!
If you haven’t seen it already, make your way to London’s West End to discover why The Telegraph believes “Aaron Sorkin’s revelatory adaptation blazingly captures the zeitgeist”, and the reason for the Evening Standard‘s insistent, “All rise for this powerfully uplifting theatrical event.”
Aaron Sorkin’s ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’
There are two bits of important information about this particular version of To Kill A Mockingbird, which originated on Broadway four years ago. First, there’s the fact that West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin is the scribe. Taking Harper Lee’s words and turning it into a stage show has paid dividends; ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ hasn’t had an empty seat since opening, and has in fact become the most successful American play in Broadway history.
Secondly, having replaced Richard Coyle, Matthew Modine is playing the role of Atticus Finch. It’s not hard to reconcile the fact that the Golden Globe-winning actor is taking on one of the most revered characters in American literature. Modine made his West End debut in The Old Vic’s Resurrection Blues and is more recently known for his role as Dr. Martin “Papa” Brenner in Stranger Things. There’s no doubt that Modine adds a fair amount of star power to this production.
All of which means two things; one, that getting a ticket early is imperative. And two, in true Sorkin fashion, there’s plenty of Scout and Atticus walk and talks to keep the action moving along. Jokes aside, critics seem pretty impressed by Sorkin’s update, with The New York Times branding it a “beautiful, elegiac version”, one which tweaks the story for a modern audience without — as Harper Lee’s estate had feared — changing too much of the original story.
One of the greatest novels of all time, from the writer of one of the greatest shows of all time? I’ll be fighting you for tickets…