The RSC has confirmed final casting for its forthcoming UK premiere of Born With Teeth at the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre in London.
Born With Teeth is playing at the Wyndham’s Theatre from 13 August to 1 November 2025.
Casting already announced is the stars of this two-hander, Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, The Importance of Being Earnest, Sex Education) as real-life Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe, and Edward Bluemel (Killing Eve, Sex Education, My Lady Jane) as William Shakespeare.
Announced today are the show’s understudies, with Justice Ritchie (The Importance of Being Earnest) as Christopher Marlowe and Matt Pettifor (Alfred Hitchcock Presents) as William Shakespeare.

Liz Duffy Adams’ darkly comic, razor-sharp play is coming to the West End produced by the RSC and Playful Productions, and directed by RSC Co-Artistic Director Daniel Evans (Quiz).
The production started rehearsals this week at the RSC’s base in Stratford-upon-Avon, ready for its 13 August opening.
Born With Teeth imagines an electrifying fictional encounter between Shakespeare and Marlowe, set in 1591 in the backroom of a London pub.
It is a dangerous time for artists: the country is full of conspiracy and paranoia. When writing sensations Kit Marlowe and Will Shakespeare are forced together in a creative union, with the table as their stage and battlefield, they sharpen their pens – and let their genius fly. Across three secret meetings, the rivals duel and flirt like their lives depend on it – and with spies everywhere, betrayal is so tempting.
The Born With Teeth creative team also includes design by Joanna Scotcher, lighting design by Neil Austin, movement by Ira Mandela Siobhan, sound design by George Dennis, video design by Andrzej Goulding, and casting by Charlotte Sutton.
Born With Teeth is running at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London from 13 August to 1 November 2025.
Book Born With Teeth tickets at the Wyndham’s Theatre in London








