The Royal Shakespeare Company has treated fans to a first look at Ncuti Gatwa in his new role in the West End play Born With Teeth.
The new play by Liz Duffy Adams sees Doctor Who star Gatwa take on the role of literary icon Kit Marlowe, while his former Sex Education co-star Edward Bluemel plays William Shakespeare.
Set in 1591, Born With Teeth follows the two playwrights as they are "forced together into a creative union" over the course of three secret meetings and is described as a "thrilling imagining of the relationship between two literary icons at odds with their time".
A description of the play reads: "Based on the idea these two literary icons may have collaborated on the Henry VI history plays, Liz Duffy Adams’ Born With Teeth is a playful and daring imagining of their relationship during an extraordinarily dangerous time for artists."
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The dramatic first look images showcase the actors in their respective roles, complete with billowing Elizabethan blouses.
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Previously speaking about his new role, Gatwa said: "I’m so excited to be joining Born With Teeth alongside the amazing Edward Bluemel. Liz Duffy Adams has written an exceptional play that is smart, dark, sexy, sharp and funny!
"There’s a lot to get one’s teeth into. This is like no version of Shakespeare and Marlowe that I’ve ever seen before, and I can’t wait for audiences to join us for the ride."
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Bluemel said: "I feel incredibly proud and excited to be working with Ncuti Gatwa and Daniel Evans on the European premiere of Born With Teeth. To be stepping into the shoes of a young William Shakespeare is a huge thrill for any actor and I can’t wait to get started.
"When I read Liz Duffy Adams’ script, I was instantly drawn into the high-stakes world of these two rival playwrights and the incredible, creative chemistry they share."
Born With Teeth will play at London's Wyndham's Theatre for a limited 11-week season from August 13. Tickets are on sale now.
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Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy.
A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre.
In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.
