Born With Teeth sinks its fangs into the West End with a thrilling theatrical duel between two icons of English literature—Will Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe—as you've never seen them before. Starring Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) and Edward Bluemel (Killing Eve, My Lady Jane), this gripping two-hander imagines an intense, clandestine rivalry crackling with intellect, lust, and the threat of treason.
Penned by Obie Award-winner Liz Duffy Adams, the play is a feverish blend of historical fiction and subversive drama, set against the backdrop of Elizabethan espionage and religious persecution. Daniel Evans—Olivier-winning actor and RSC Co-Artistic Director known for his Olivier-nominated revivals of South Pacific and The Light in the Piazza,—directs with electric pace and emotional precision, making every scene throb with danger and desire. With only 11 weeks at Wyndham’s Theatre, Born With Teeth is a combustible portrait of ambition, artistry, and attraction in an age where even words could be deadly. Don’t miss this whip-smart, seductive clash of titans.
Winter, 1591. England is a hotbed of treachery, turmoil, and Tudor tyranny. Artists are under scrutiny, ideas are dangerous, and one wrong word could mean a traitor’s death. In a smoky pub backroom, two of history’s greatest wordsmiths — the rebellious Kit Marlowe and the ambitious Will Shakespeare — are thrown together under royal orders to collaborate. But their pens are as sharp as their tongues, and the page becomes a battleground. Born With Teeth is a razor-sharp imagining of an electric literary rivalry—part thriller, part seduction, and entirely unmissable. Set against the backdrop of Elizabethan surveillance and suspicion, this gripping two-hander explores what might have unfolded if Shakespeare and Marlowe’s genius had collided in private, under pressure, and with everything to lose.
Show timings for Born With Teeth may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
The Wyndham's Theatre is nestled in the heart of the West End and is a jewel of London’s theatrical scene — intimate, elegant, and steeped in history. Opened in 1899 and designed by the legendary W.G.R. Sprague, it has hosted icons from Maggie Smith to Judi Dench, and productions ranging from The Boy Friend to the record-breaking Art and Skylight. More recently, it’s been the stage for Fleabag’s triumphant West End run and Life of Pi before its West End transfer. With its plush red velvet interiors, gold-leaf detailing, and superb sightlines from every seat, Wyndham’s delivers an immersive, up-close experience — perfect for character-driven dramas and razor-sharp dialogue like Born With Teeth.
The Wyndham's Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theater.
Available facilities: restrooms, bar, cloakroom
Accessibility: wheelchair accessible, wheelchair spaces available, guide dogs allowed, hearing assistance, accessible restrooms, accessible elevator, access hosts
Incredible performances from two brilliant actors. The chemistry between them was electric and they connected immediately with the audience. The script was great - funny, menacing and informative. We were in the second row which was perfect for such an intimate and powerful play.
🔥 Gatwa and Bluemel are dynamite - Born With Teeth is fierce, fresh, and totally worth the hop over from Australia 🇦🇺 loved the theatre loved it all!! Just loved it!!!!
Wonderful Duo!! Controversial but compelling. Efffective props too.
The cost of the tickets starts from £58.44 and will vary depending on the type of seats you choose.
The play does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 3 years and above. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by a ticket holder aged 18 years or older and seated next to them. This production features strong language, very bright lights, haze and loud noises. Viewer discretion is advised.
The show is playing at the Wyndham's Theatre in London.
It is a witty historical play set in Elizabethan England, imagining a tense and clever meeting between William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe as they collaborate on a play. It explores rivalry, creativity, and political danger under a regime where every word can be deadly.
The running time is 2 hours.
The main stars of the show are Ncuti Gatwa as Christopher Marlowe and Edward Bluemel as William Shakespeare.