“Born With Teeth” – A Compelling, Though Ultimately restrained, Look at Marlowe & Shakespeare
“Born With Teeth,” currently playing at the National Theater, offers a engaging, if somewhat muted, exploration of the creative and personal entanglement of Christopher Marlowe (Kit) and William Shakespeare (Will). Playwright Lucy Kirkwood and director Daniel Evans deliver a compelling piece of historical fiction, fueled by powerhouse performances from Ncuti Gatwa and Jacob Bluemel. However, while brimming with potential, the production ultimately feels constrained, leaving you wanting a more visceral and fully realized experience.
A Playwright’s Duel: Inventiveness vs. Restraint
The play cleverly positions Kit and Will as collaborators on Henry VI Part I, instantly highlighting the tension between historical accuracy and artistic licence. kit, portrayed with electrifying energy by Gatwa, champions imaginative embellishment. “All the more reason to use our imaginations,” he declares, a sentiment that encapsulates his rebellious spirit.
Though, this bold call for creative freedom is ironically countered by the staging itself. Evans utilizes a minimalist set – three walls of blinding lights and a central wooden table – creating a sense of confinement. This “cage,” while visually striking, ultimately limits the play’s dynamism.
The dynamic between the two playwrights shifts constantly, oscillating between rivalry, burgeoning romance, and intellectual sparring. their exchanges, though often insightful, sometimes veer into overly earnest territory, lessening the impact of the underlying power struggles.
Gatwa Shines as the scandalous Kit Marlowe
Ncuti Gatwa is this production. His Kit is a whirlwind of restless energy, clad in a striking leather two-piece.He embodies the character’s swagger, sensuality, and underlying vulnerability with remarkable skill.
Gatwa masterfully portrays Kit’s initial, purely physical attraction to Will, evolving into a more tender and complex connection. Beneath the bravado, you see a genuine admiration for Will’s talent and a growing fear of the hazardous world he inhabits.
Jacob Bluemel delivers a nuanced performance as will Shakespeare. He convincingly portrays the playwright’s initial insecurity – a “wry whine that ‘no one’s studying me'” – and his gradual ascent to literary prominence. We witness his internal conflict: a desire for Kit’s proximity coupled with a fear of succumbing to temptation.
A World of Spies and Surveillance
The play effectively establishes a backdrop of Elizabethan England steeped in surveillance and political intrigue. Kit attempts to recruit Will into a network of royal spies, hinting at the perilous consequences of their creative endeavors.
However, these external threats remain largely abstract. Despite being told of the dangers lurking outside their room, thay never truly materialize, diminishing the overall sense of urgency. The stakes simmer, but never quite boil over.
What “Born With Teeth” Gets Right – and Where It Falls Short
Hear’s a rapid breakdown of the production’s strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
Exceptional Performances: gatwa and Bluemel deliver captivating performances, especially Gatwa’s magnetic portrayal of Kit Marlowe.
Intriguing Premise: The exploration of the creative partnership (and potential romance) between Marlowe and Shakespeare is inherently compelling.
Sharp Dialog: Kirkwood’s script is filled with witty exchanges and insightful observations about ambition, art, and desire.Weaknesses:
Restrained Staging: The minimalist set, while visually interesting, ultimately feels limiting and diffuses tension.
Underdeveloped stakes: The external threats and political intrigue remain largely abstract, failing to create a truly palpable sense of danger.
Pacing Issues: The play occasionally feels uneven, with bursts of action interspersed with lengthy, introspective scenes.
A Missed Opportunity for a Sharper Bite
“Born With Teeth” is an intelligent and thought-provoking piece of historical fiction. It reminds us to acknowledge the contributions of playwrights beyond Shakespeare, like the brilliant, yet tragically short-lived, Christopher Marlowe.
Ultimately, though, the production feels like a missed opportunity. It yearns for a bolder, more visceral approach – a sharper bite that truly captures the tumultuous spirit of Elizabethan England and the passionate, complex relationship at its heart. You’ll leave the theatre impressed, but also feeling that the play could have been so much more.
Worth a look