Seductive, clever and blinding
Constantly dancing between erotic fantasy and proven fact, Born with Teeth is a fascinating take on the relationship between Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Separated into three scenes, we see these characters as they come together to write the Henry V1 trilogy, now strongly suspected to have been written as a collaboration between the poets. Set against the oft-ignored backdrop of an England rife with censorship and on the brink of civil war, we see these famous figures in a totally new light, and how they were never able to ‘just write’.
A provocative play written by award-winner Liz Duffy Adams, Born with Teeth explores the impacts of living in a fiercely Protestant society (that was violently Catholic only moments ago), and how this helped shape the stories we know so well. Striking the perfect balance between historical lecture and homoerotic fantasy, it’s a show for both Shakespeare lovers and those indifferent to the bard.
The chemistry between Marlowe and Shakespeare is sizzling and ever-changing. From Shakespeare being in awe of his successful contemporary, to fist fights, love bites and tearful farewells. Ncuti Gatwa is a rakish Marlowe, horny as all hell and a literary genius with a true understanding of the twisted society he lives in. Edward Bluemel is a totally charming Shakespeare, dripping with innocence and often childlike optimism. Together they make this two-hander a thrill to watch, with dynamic staging by director Daniel Evans.
Costumes by Joanna Scotcher are sensational, ‘sewing centuries together’ creating iconic outfits that ‘epitomise Elizabethan England’, in a very cool and sexy way. Unfortunately, set also by Scotcher is hard to stomach. Rows of blinding lights line the back and sides of the stage, with no context into setting making each of the three scenes look almost identical, despite taking place years apart. In key moments lighting designer Neil Austin has triggered the lights to brighten even further, making the action completely unwatchable at times. Staff report audience complaints every night due to these bulbs, with multiple people looking away and closing their eyes completely when they were turned up to their full wattage.
It’s a strange and disappointing design choice, but ultimately doesn’t take away from the high-spirited action of the stage, with a dramatic and exciting soundscape by George Dennis unleashed in the scene transitions, reminding us of the danger of this time period.
A playful take on some of history’s favourite characters, Born with Teeth leaves audience with a hunger for more. Was Shakespeare gay? Was Marlowe really a spy for the Crown? Were some of the famous plays actually co-written? This play creates more questions than it answers.