RSC’s new production of Christophe Marlow’s EDWARD II : the world’s first ever gay play

 

photos : Helen Murray

The 20-year reign of Edward II in the 14th century is commonly seen as a disastrous period in English history. Edward, who was the first king to officially reside at Eltham Palace, faced military defeats, political crises and civil war. But the king’s downfall was due to his reliance on his ‘favorites’, Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despenser, who were rumored to be his lovers. When the new King Edward II insists on ruling with the man he loves by his side, conspiracy, and civil war threaten the very existence of the monarchy.  It’s all detailed in Christopher Marlowe’s play EDWARD II which was written at the end of the 16th century and is one of the earliest English history plays,

 

The King is dead, long live the King. And his boyfriend. When Edward II insists on ruling with the man he loves by his side, the Palace refuses. The establishment conspires to restore the natural order, plunging the country into a civil war and threatening the very existence of the monarchy.

             Better a dead king than a gay king.

Now Royal Shakespeare Company has a  special production of the  Edward II  this spring. which is thought to be one of the first plays to ever deal with a queer relationship. (It is rumoured that Christopher Marlowe was  gay himself).  Edward II is played by veteran theatre actor and co-artistic director of the RSC Daniel Evans, whilst Edward’s lover Gaveston is played by Eloka Ivo. This production is directed by Daniel Raggett who commented: “A love story with a political edge – this 400 year old play has plenty to say about the supposedly liberal and progressive times in which we now live: when King Edward wants to rule alongside the man he loves, how much change can the establishment tolerate, and at what cost?

Edward IIRSCSwan TheatreStratford-upon-AvonUntil 5 April 2025

BOOK TICKETS