Born With Teeth

Plays Romance Stars on Stage Drama

Wyndham's Theatre

DURATION

2 hr

CLOSING DATE

Until November 1, 2025

AGE LIMIT

Suitable for 3+ yrs

from

£12.50

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Why watch Born With Teeth?

Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe collide in a clandestine clash of egos and intellects in Born With Teeth. Critically acclaimed in the U.S. and now making its hotly anticipated UK premiere at Wyndham’s Theatre, catch Liz Duffy Adams’ razor-sharp imagining of history’s hottest literary rivalry.
Doctor Who and Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa and BAFTA-winner Edward Bluemel (Killing Eve, My Lady Jane) bring fire and flirtation to the stage as Kit Marlowe and Will Shakespeare in this high-stakes theatrical face-off.
Directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director and Olivier-winning actor Daniel Evans, this critically-acclaimed play delivers a potent mix of historical fiction and theatrical fireworks.
Set in 1591, a time of turmoil, treason, and Tudor tension, Born With Teeth is a theatrical powder keg set against a backdrop of censorship, religious persecution, and political paranoia. Catch the show at Wyndham’s Theatre for a strictly limited engagement.

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.

Storyline

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

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.

Cast & crew

Leading roles: Ncuti Gatwa as Christopher Marlowe and Edward Bluemel as William Shakespeare
Director: Daniel Evans
Playwright: Liz Duffy Adams

Note: Producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist, which is always subject to illness and holidays.

Age & content guide

This show is strictly for ages 3 and above.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by a ticket holder aged 18 years or over and seated next to them.
Content warning: This production features strong language, very bright lights, haze and loud noises. Viewer discretion is advised.
Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!

Wyndham's Theatre Read more

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.

Getting there

Address: Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DA
Train: The nearest train station is Charing Cross. The theatre is a 10-minute walk from the station, on the right side of St. Martin’s corner.
Tube: Leicester Square is the nearest tube station to the theatre. The Northern and Piccadilly lines will get you to this station. Once you exit the station, the theatre is right across the road. You can also choose to disembark at Piccadilly Circus or Covent Garden stations, both a 10-minute walk away from the theatre.
Bus: The nearest bus stop is Charing Cross Road, which is served by routes 24, 29, and 176. You could also choose to get off at Shaftesbury Avenue, which is frequented by routes 14, 19, and 38. London’s famous Trafalgar Square bus stop is also in the vicinity, a mere 10-minute walk away.

Facilities & accessibility

Available facilities: restrooms, bar, cloakroom

Accessibility: wheelchair accessible, wheelchair spaces available, guide dogs allowed, hearing assistance, accessible restrooms, accessible elevator, access hosts

Additional information

Security: To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
Dress code: Smart casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
Outside food: While outside food isn't usually allowed, many theaters have cafes or restaurants nearby for you to check out before or after the show.

Tickets redemption

You’ll get an instant email confirmation right after you book your tickets.
Enjoy a hassle-free entrance to the venue by showing your mobile ticket and a valid photo ID – no printout necessary!