Born With Teeth brings Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel together for Shakespearean clash on stage

There’s something reassuring about seeing a Doctor Who star return to the theatre, and in the case of Ncuti Gatwa, it’s a bit of a full-circle moment. Following David Tennant’s well-trodden path from the TARDIS to the West End, Gatwa is now set to star in Born With Teeth, a bold new play exploring the rivalry – and possible romance – between Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare.

The production, which opens at Wyndham’s Theatre this August, is a two-hander written by American playwright Liz Duffy Adams and directed by Daniel Evans, co-director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Gatwa will take on the role of Marlowe, opposite Edward Bluemel as Shakespeare. It’s an enticing pairing: both actors have screen recognition and plenty of charisma, but this marks Gatwa’s most stripped-back stage challenge to date. After anchoring The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre last year, Born With Teeth allows him to lead in a more intense, text-driven piece.

Set in 1591, with Elizabethan London at its most suspicious and state surveillance a daily concern, the play imagines the two playwrights holed up together, working on Henry VI. Between the writing, though, they bicker, flirt, and test each other’s loyalties. While this version of events is speculative – and some might say bordering on fanfiction – the RSC’s involvement ensures that Born With Teeth stays rooted in character study and period detail rather than veering into fantasy.

The decision to cast Bluemel, best known for Killing Eve, as Shakespeare is an interesting one. Although he began his career on stage, this marks his first major theatre role in several years. For both actors, it’s a chance to display serious dramatic range and to offer a fresh perspective on two of history’s most written-about writers. This is not a dusty costume drama – it’s intimate, direct, and likely to surprise audiences who think they know the story.

The production opens on 13th August and runs until 1st November – an unusual start date for a West End show, leading to speculation that it’s been carefully scheduled around Gatwa’s Doctor Who commitments. Regardless, it’s a timely piece for anyone interested in writers, egos, and the blurred lines between admiration and rivalry.

Born With Teeth marks a bold choice for both actors and is another sign of the RSC’s willingness to embrace contemporary writing alongside the classics. For theatregoers looking for something smart, engaging and driven by strong performances, this could be the standout drama of the summer.

For full ticket details, visit the Wyndham’s Theatre official booking page.

For more insights on London theatre and upcoming stage productions, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.

[Image Credit: RSC]

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