RSC’s Born With Teeth

“Oh Jesus bless us, he is born with teeth!”

— Henry VI, Part 3

Christopher Marlowe: rockstar of Elizabethan theatre, scandalous spy for the Crown––danger and seduction combined.

William Shakespeare: jobbing actor, promising young playwright – dazzled by Marlowe, with ambitions of his own.

The New Oxford Shakespeare made headlines with the discovery that these two literary icons may have collaborated on the Henry VI history plays. Steeped in the history of the period and keenly aware of the parallels with our own, Liz Duffy Adams’ Born With Teeth is a playful and daring imagining of their relationship during an extraordinarily dangerous time for artists.

RSC Co-Artistic Director and two-time Olivier Award winner Daniel Evans directs Ncuti Gatwa (BBC’s Doctor Who, Sex Education) as Kit Marlowe and Edward Bluemel (Killing Eve, My Lady Jane) as Will Shakespeare in this explosively entertaining duel of wits, words, and powerplay.

Born With Teeth makes its West End premiere playing 11 weeks only at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre.

Curriculum Integration Info for Educators
Christopher Marlowe’s life and works are frequently studied within the UK curriculum, particularly in English literature and history. He is often examined alongside Shakespeare and other Elizabethan playwrights, with his plays like Doctor Faustus and Edward II being staples of higher-level education.
English Literature
Marlowe’s plays and poetry are included in various English literature modules, often focusing on the Renaissance period and the development of English drama.
History
His life and the context of his plays are explored in history curricula, particularly the Elizabethan era, and the rise of the public theatre.
Higher Education
Universities often offer specialized modules on Marlowe, examining his dramatic techniques, poetic style, and the social and political contexts of his works.
A Level English
Some A Level English literature courses include Marlowe’s plays as part of their syllabus, providing students with a deeper understanding of his works and the Elizabethan period.