the reign continues

Succeeding their rare production of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II, the Globe further evaluate the impact of the landmark play in this response penned by Tom Stuart, who will play the titular King in both works. Running concurrently, After Edward takes place directly after its predecessor ends, seeing Edward return to the stage, bloodied and confused following the medieval murder-fest that sees him lose his lover, imprison his own mother and gain the stage.

Awaiting him in the Sam Wanamaker playhouse are a veritable whos who of queer history, some good influences like Harvey Milk, Gertrude Stien and Maria Von Trapp, others decidedly less so (Maggie Thatcher). Whilst locked in the auditorium, under the impression that something is very wrong, Stuart begins to explore queer politics, identity and experience in a way like no other.

About Edward II

Christopher Marlowe's complex portrayal of the Machiavellian politics, scandal, power, and tragedy surrounding King Edward and his forbidden love for English nobleman Piers Gaveston has fascinated audiences for centuries, its frank depiction of homosexuality (alluded to more openly as time has worn on) causing sensation right up into present day -  a 1970s revival starring Ian McKellen drew much uproar as it transmitted the first gay kiss on British television. 

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