FIRST LOOK: Queer actor Ncuti Gatwa to star as Christopher Marlowe in 'Born With Teeth'

Rehearsal images have been released ahead of the West End premiere of Born With Teeth, which stars queer actor Ncuti Gatwa as Christopher Marlowe.

Born With Teeth, Liz Duffy Adams' “sexy and sharp” reimagining of the relationship between two literary icons at odds with their time, also stars Edward Bluemel as William Shakespeare and will be playing at Wyndham's Theatre in London from 13 August.

Ncuti Gatwa said: “I’m so excited to be joining Born With Teeth alongside the amazing Edward Bluemel. 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”.

Based on the idea these two literary icons may have collaborated on the Henry VI history plays, Born With Teeth is a playful and daring imagining of their relationship during an extraordinarily dangerous time for artists.

Edward Bluemel added: “I feel incredibly proud and excited to be working with Ncuti Gatwa and Daniel Evans on the European premiere of Born With Teeth. 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. 

“When I read Liz Duffy Adams’ script, I was instantly drawn into the high-stakes world of these two rival playwrights and the incredible, creative chemistry they share. There’s a real freshness and vitality to Liz’s writing that speaks directly to our world, and I can’t wait for West End audiences to experience it for the first time”.

All images by Johan Persson

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