First look images of Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) as Kit Marlowe and Edward Bluemel (Killing Eve, My Lady Jane) as William Shakespeare have been released as Born With Teeth marks its West End premiere presented by Playful Productions, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Elizabeth Williams.
“Oh Jesus bless us, he is born with teeth!” – Henry VI, Part 3
RSC Co-Artistic Director and two-time Olivier Award winner Daniel Evans directs this explosively entertaining duel of wits, words, and powerplay. This thrilling new play by Liz Duffy Adams imagines the relationship between two literary icons at odds with their time.
Design is by the Olivier award-winning Joanna Scotcher and Lighting Design by Tony and Olivier award-winner Neil Austin, Sound Design is by George Dennis, Video Design is by Andrzej Goulding, Movement Direction is by Ira Mandela Siobhan and Casting Director is Charlotte Sutton CDG.
Matt Pettifor is Understudy Willam Shakespeare and Justice Ritchie is Understudy Christopher Marlowe.
Born With Teeth makes its West End premiere playing 11 weeks only at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre with exclusively priced preview performances from 13 August. Book now at delfontmackintosh.co.uk.
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.
Based on the idea these two literary icons may have collaborated on the Henry VI history plays, Liz Duffy Adams’ Born With Teeth is a playful and daring imagining of their relationship during an extraordinarily dangerous time for artists.
Playful Productions, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Elizabeth Williams present
Born With Teeth
By Liz Duffy Adams
Ncuti Gatwa as Christopher Marlowe.
Edward Bluemel as William Shakespeare.
Wyndham’s Theatre,
Charing Cross Road,
London,
WC2H 0DA
First preview: Wednesday 13 August 2025
Press Night: Tuesday 2 September 2025
Final Performance: Saturday 1 November 2025
Performance times: Monday – Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat 2.30pm
Audio described performance: Saturday 20 September 2.30pm
Captioned performance: Saturday 4 October 2.30pm
Groups and schools rates available.
Tickets from £25
2,000 tickets available at £10 for 16-25 year olds, sponsored by TikTok
Book online: www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk
Phone: 0344 482 5151. Monday – Saturday, 10am – 7.30pm.
