Ncuti Gatwa to Play Christopher Marlowe in 'Born With Teeth'
Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel in "Born with Teeth"
(Photo: Felicity McCabe/RSC)
Two of England's buzziest young actors (and former Sex Education co-stars) are set to square off on stage as two of history's greatest literary titans and contemporary rivals. Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) and Edward Bluemel (My Lady Jane) will play Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare in Born with Teeth, the story of a series of imagined meetings between the established bad-boy author of Tamberlaine the Great and a then up-and-coming playwright from Stratford Upon Avon.
Written by Liz Duffy Adams, the play is set against the backdrop of paranoia that permeated late sixteenth-century England and features two powerhouse writers who "duel and flirt like their lives depend upon it." (If the initial marketing materials are anything to go by, it certainly seems as though this show is set to lean firmly into the ever-present speculation surrounding the sexuality of both men.) Performances begin in August at London's Wyndham's Theatre, for a strictly limited 11-week run. Word on the street is that the play could see a Broadway transfer if the West End production goes well (i.e., is popular). Playful Productions does have a history of importing buzzy London shows to the Great White Way, including The Audience with Helen Mirren (MobLand) and Frost/Nixon with Frank Langella (The Americans), and Michael Sheen (A Very Royal Scandal).
“I’m so excited to be joining Born with Teeth alongside the amazing Edward Bluemel,” Gatwa said. “Liz Duffy Adams has written an exceptional play that is smart, dark, sexy, sharp and funny. There’s a lot to get one’s teeth into. This is like no version of Shakespeare and Marlowe that I’ve ever seen before, and I can’t wait for audiences to join us for the ride.”
Here's the play's synopsis.
Winter 1591.
It is a dangerous time for artists: the country is full of conspiracy and paranoia.
In the backroom of a pub, writing sensations Kit Marlowe and Will Shakespeare are forced together in a creative union. Alone, with the table as their stage and battlefield, they sharpen their pens – and let their genius fly.
Across three secret meetings, the rivals duel and flirt like their lives depend on it – and with spies everywhere, betrayal is so tempting.
“I feel incredibly proud and excited to be working with Ncuti Gatwa and Daniel Evans on the European premiere of Born with Teeth," Bluemel said. "To be stepping into the shoes of a young William Shakespeare is a huge thrill for any actor, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Born with Teeth originated at Houston's Alley Theatre and has played across America from Minneapolis to Florida and California. This run will mark its European premiere, with Royal Shakespeare Company Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans set to direct. The creative team also includes Olivier Award-winning designer Joanna Scotcher and Tony and Olivier Award-winning lighting designer Neil Austin, with Charlotte Sutton serving as casting director. Producers include Matthew Byam Shaw and partners Nia Janus and Nick Salmon for Playful Productions, the RSC, and Broadway's Elizabeth Williams.
Born with Teeth will begin performances on Wednesday, August 13, at London's Wyndham's Theatre, where it will run through November 1, 2025. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, via the Delfont Mackintosh Theatres website.
