‘The Hard Problem’: Damien Molony gets topless, play gets extended run – new tickets on sale NOW

February 11, 2015

Damien Molony (Spike), Olivia Vinall (Hilary) © Johan Persson

Damien is currently appearing in The Hard Problem and new tickets go on sale 8.30am today for the play’s extended run into May.

Written by Sir Tom Stoppard and directed by Nicholas Hytner, the National Theatre production opened for previews 21 Jan and sold out within just two days.

Our fave actor is playing Spike, alongside Olivia Vinall as Hilary, both characters representing opposite sides of the debate on ‘the hard problem’ of consciousness. Initial accounts reveal the two engage in myriad scenes of intellectual and intimate sparring, often in the bedroom, with Damien in various states of undress.

The below selection of reviews give further insight into Damien’s performance and character.

Damien Molony (Spike) © John Persson

“The best performance comes from Damien Molony as Spike” “Molony is excellent at being the bad boy, and he also captures perfectly the cynical side of an academic/ thinker…” BritishTheatre.Com

“..dazzling new play..” “[Hilary] enjoys a series of trysts and debates with her American erstwhile professor and colleague/rival Damien Molony as Spike. While they are happy to exchange quips about game theory, the sparks only really start flying when religion becomes the central debating topic.” British Theatre Guide

“Damien Molony gives a strong, straight-talking performance that complements Olivia Vinall’s naïve Hilary in a way that makes their scenes easily the most engaging and substantial throughout.” Train Of Brain

Damien Molony (Spike) and Olive Vinall (Hilary) © John Persson
“Stoppard is offering a 90-minute jewel — one that, in the tradition of theater of ideas, will challenge you to think as well as feel.” “Vinall… leads an able cast, including Damien Molony as her pragmatic paramour..” Broadstreet Review

“[Vinall] breathes believable life into the role, proving herself to be a truly magnetic force on stage. A confident Damien Molony provides stark contrast as her bullish, dogmatic and cutting tutor turned lover, who, alongside Parth Thakerar’s strutting, money-hungry Amal add shade to Hilary’s otherwise almost overwhelming goodness.” Official London Theatre

“an intellectually charged piece that delights in the slippery nature of language and pulses with interesting ideas.” The Standard Arts

“Here are 100 minutes of condensed brain-ache, marbled by wit and some camisoled sexiness..Damien Molony.. keeps stripping to his rippling six-pack.” Mail Online

“..we are made to care about Hilary, who is excellently played by Olivia Vinall.,, She is strongly supported by Jonathan Coy as her anxiety-ridden department boss; Damien Molony as her armour-plated lover; Vera Chok as her dazzling protege; and Anthony Calf as a financial titan..”The Guardian

If you missed out the first time around, now is your chance to grab yourself a ticket to watch 90 minutes of Damien performing live on stage. Hurry, these will sell out fast!

The Hard Problem will also be broadcast in cinemas across the world live on 16 April 2015 with National Theatre Live. Further encore screenings of the play after the initial live broadcast will additionally be shown.

To buy your ticket to see The Hard Problem visit the National Theatre Website

To book your tickets to see Damien in a live broadcast of The Hard Problem at your local cinema, visit the National Theatre Live Website

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For more info on The Hard Problem visit the forum here