Writer: Christopher Marlowe
Director: Daniel Raggett
This is a slick, stylish, and powerful production of Christopher Marlowe’s brutal play about the doomed affair 
between newly crowned King Edward II and his lover, Gaveston. The new King insists on ruling with the man he loves by his side. The powers that be won’t allow that. “I see your love to Gaveston will be the ruin of the realm and you.” Edward’s powerful courtiers plot to put an end to the relationship.
The excellent programme speculates on the motivation of Marlowe in writing the play, recalling his apparent statement that “All they that love not tobacco and boys are fools”.
The play was last performed at the RSC 35 years ago, with Simon Russell Beale in the leading role. This time, Daniel Evans, double Olivier award winner, Tony nominee, and co-artistic director of the RSC, takes the lead role of Edward – his first performance for fourteen years. His depiction of Edward grows throughout the play, becoming most convincing when he is reduced to misery and pathos, with distinct echoes of King Lear.
The production has many admirable elements—for example, the audience is invited to walk onstage before taking their seats to pay their respects to the coffin containing the deceased King Edward I. This is a very moving, thought-provoking and engaging start to the show, particularly when the cast joins the audience to pay their respects, standing in silence, heads bowed.
The production’s stylishness continues throughout—from an early scene with Gaveston in a bath house reminiscent of Tom of Finland to the monochrome costume palette, dark brooding lighting, and dramatic hanging to the choreography of the King’s ultimate denouement.
Evans and Henry Pettigrew convince as the royal brothers whose relationship changes during the play, and Emilio Doorgasingh as the conflicted Pembroke.
The play has been edited to 100 minutes, with no interval, making the experience very intense, and one in which the tension builds inexorably.
A relative weakness is the depiction of the relationship between Edward and Gaveston. The physical attraction between them is obvious and powerful, but the genuine love less believably so.
Nevertheless, the production is well worth seeing and very timely as we read about countries where homosexuality still remains illegal, and others where hard-won freedoms are in the process of being rolled back.
Runs until 5 April 2025
The Reviews Hub Score
Slick, stylish, impressive
