Corruption (play) explained

Corruption
Premiere:February 15, 2024
Place:Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater
Orig Lang:English
Subject:2011 Hacking scandal
Genre:Drama

Corruption is a play by J. T. Rogers, recounting (in dramatized form) the true-life phone hacking scandal that engulfed Rupert Murdoch’s media empire in 2011, stunning the world and upending British politics. The production is based on the 2012 book Dial M for Murdoch.[1] The play premiered Off-Broadway in February 2024 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center. The play was directed by Bartlett Sher, who previously directed Rogers' previous play Oslo (2016) which won the Tony Award for Best Play.

Overview

The play set in 2011 revolves around parliament member Tom Watson who gets quickly engulfed into the News International phone hacking scandal. Watson is on a mission to investigate those behind the hacking while balancing his personal life. Various figures involved in the story include Rebekah Brooks, James Murdoch, and Gordon Brown.[2]

Origins

J.T. Rogers adapted the play from the 2012 book Dial M for Murdoch: News Corporation and the Corruption of Britain by British Labour Party MP Tom Watson, and Martin Hickman, a journalist with The Independent newspaper. This is the third collaboration between playwright Rogers and director Sher who previously worked together on Blood and Gifts (2010) and Oslo (2016). Of working with Sher, Rogers stated, "There is no one who stages plays better in American theatre".[3]

Productions

Off-Broadway

The world premiere production will open on March 11, 2024, at Lincoln Center Theater's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater following previews from February 15. It was directed by Bartlett Sher who previously collaborated with J.T. Rogers with his play Oslo which won the Tony Award for Best Play.[4] The production stars Toby Stephens as MP Tom Watson, Baron Watson of Wyre Forest and Dylan Baker as Tom Crone and Glenn Mulcaire. The rest of the cast includes Saffron Burrows, Seth Numrich, Anthony Cochrane, and K. Todd Freeman.[5]

Cast and characters

CharacterOff Broadway, Lincoln Center
(2024)
Tom WatsonToby Stephens
Tom Crone / Glenn MulcaireDylan Baker
Rebekah BrooksSaffron Burrows
James MurdochSeth Numrich
Gordon BrownAnthony Cochrane
Charlie Brooks / Jeremy HuntJohn Behlmann
Siobhan Watson / Surrogate Robyn Kerr
Chris Bryant / Simon KelnerK. Todd Freeman
Karie / Sue Akers / Jo Becker Eleanor Handley
Charlotte HarrisSepideh Moafi

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Corruption (Off-Broadway, 2024). Playbill. March 8, 2024.
  2. Web site: Corruption: Overview. Lincoln Center Theatre. March 8, 2024.
  3. Web site: The Joy of Collaborating on 'Corruption'. TDF.com. March 8, 2024.
  4. Web site: J.T. Rogers' Oslo Wins the 2017 Tony Award for Best Play. Broadway.com. March 8, 2024.
  5. Web site: Corruption - Who's Who. Lincoln Center Theatre. March 8, 2024.