Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel Ignite the West End in “Born With Teeth”: Queer Chemistry Steals the Spotlight

London’s West End is abuzz with excitement as the curtain rises on “Born With Teeth”, a provocative new play by Liz Duffy Adams that reimagines the relationship between two of history’s most enigmatic playwrights—Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. The production, co-produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Playful Productions, and Elizabeth Williams, features Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel in leading roles, infusing the stage with palpable chemistry and queer undertones that have become a talking point across the city’s cultural landscape .

Set in the winter of 1591, “Born With Teeth” imagines clandestine meetings between Marlowe and Shakespeare at a time when artists faced political persecution and the threat of surveillance. The play is a two-hander, with Gatwa’s Marlowe and Bluemel’s Shakespeare locked in a duel of words and desire. Under the direction of Daniel Evans, the production leans into the tension and intimacy of their meetings, creating an atmosphere ripe with danger, ambition, and seduction .

The artistic team behind “Born With Teeth” has been explicit about their intent to explore the complexities of queer attraction, power dynamics, and creative rivalry. In an exclusive interview, director Daniel Evans discussed the “steamy” nature of the play and the importance of portraying LGBTQ+ narratives within historical contexts, noting that the relationship between Marlowe and Shakespeare is both imagined and deeply plausible given the era’s coded expressions of sexuality .

Ncuti Gatwa, known for his groundbreaking roles in “Doctor Who” and “Sex Education,” brings vibrant energy and layered vulnerability to Christopher Marlowe, a figure long speculated to have had relationships with men—an aspect that has often been elided in mainstream depictions. Edward Bluemel, celebrated for “Killing Eve” and “My Lady Jane,” matches Gatwa’s performance with a nuanced portrayal of a Shakespeare both awed and unsettled by Marlowe’s charisma .

The chemistry between the leads has been widely praised by early audiences and critics, who note that their performances bring fresh urgency and authenticity to questions of love, rivalry, and identity in a society hostile to difference. The rehearsal trailer, released by the Royal Shakespeare Company, offers a glimpse into the electric dynamic between the two actors, fueling anticipation ahead of opening night .

“Born With Teeth” runs for 11 weeks at Wyndham’s Theatre from August 13 to November 1, 2025, with a range of accessible performances, including audio-described and captioned shows, ensuring that the play’s message reaches as wide an audience as possible . Group and education discounts further open the doors to LGBTQ+ youth and allies, fostering inclusion and intergenerational dialogue.

Community leaders and LGBTQ+ advocates have highlighted the significance of such productions in mainstream venues, noting that the play’s nuanced portrayal of queer desire and artistic defiance resonates strongly in a contemporary context where representation and visibility remain critical .

The arrival of “Born With Teeth” in the West End underscores a broader movement towards more inclusive and affirming storytelling on prominent stages. By centering LGBTQ+ narratives in the lives of iconic historical figures, the production challenges audiences to reconsider whose stories are told, and how queer lives have always shaped the artistic and political fabric of society.

As audiences fill Wyndham’s Theatre over the coming weeks, “Born With Teeth” stands not just as a work of historical fiction, but as a vital contribution to the ongoing conversation around visibility, authenticity, and the enduring power of queer love and creativity.