Physical toll of National Theatre Live’s 'Golden Boy' left Josh O’Connor “exhausted, but invigorated”

Eight shows a week meant stepping into the ring—literally. Playing Joe Bonaparte in the Almeida Theatre ’s revival of Golden Boy, Josh O’Connor spent his nights bouncing between a violinist’s poise and a boxer’s punishment. As National Theatre Live readies its filmed capture for theaters, the Emmy winner said the role left a mark, in all the good ways.

“I feel exhausted, but invigorated … I’m just sad that it ’s over, but excited that people in places like where I grew up get to see it,”

O’Connor said in a clip shared by Variety, reflecting on the show’s run and the chance for cinema audiences to see it.

From stage hit to cinemas

After a completely sold-out engagement at London’s Almeida, National Theatre Live will roll out the production in theaters worldwide beginning November 5. Directed by Sam Yates, the staging brings Clifford Odets’ 1937 drama into sharp focus, with O’Connor as a gifted classical violinist lured by the money and danger of the boxing world.

• U.S. release: National Theatre Live screenings begin November 5 in select theaters
• Director: Sam Yates
• Playwright: Clifford Odets
• Role: O’Connor plays Joe Bonaparte, a violinist turned prizefighter
• Origin: Filmed at the Almeida Theatre’s sold-out run in London

Back on stage

The run marked O’Connor’s return to theater after a five-year stretch that put him on the global movie map—he won an Emmy for The Crown and headlined films like Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers and Alice Rohrwacher’s La Chimera. He called the experience on Golden Boy both punishing and energizing, and said he was grateful for the company he got to share the stage with.

National Theatre Live’s Golden Boy starts playing in U.S. cinemas November 5.