Review: Edward II at the RSC

★★★★

Written by Christopher Marlowe (c.1592), Edward II is one of the earliest English history plays, and this intensely dark re-staging of the play at the RSC’s Swan Theatre, directed by Daniel Raggett, sees its return after over 30 years.

The story, based on true events, centres King Edward II (Daniel Evans); exploring his controversial relationship with Gaveston (Eloka Ivo), and his murder on the orders of Mortimer (Enzo Cilenti). Daniel Raggett’s modern edit of the thriller is a cruel battle for power that arises when a king demands to keep his heart’s desire, while his noblemen vehemently object. A tale of treachery and darkness in which love will bring ruin.

'I see your love to Gaveston will be the ruin of the realm and you.'

"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."

Before the production even begins, audience members are invited (if they would like) to immerse themselves in the setting, by becoming part of the funeral procession for the deceased king, Edward I. From there, the play itself is steamy (quite literally) from the start, opening in a sauna. But, it is the conflict and raw, savage emotion that grips you in its vice; holding you for the full fast-paced length of the show.

This is a production that comes with a long list of content warnings, and is, throughout tough viewing. The cast of this show undertake exposing, rough scenes and even in death (particularly for Eloka Ivo) their roles continue to bleed into the story.

Leslie Travers’ use of modern dress costuming and a stripped back set design allows for the audience to focus solely on the action and bloody violence of the show. Before a sliding stage reveals, in the latter half of the play, a water-filled muddy prison, and the dismal darkness of Edward II’s untimely ending. Meanwhile, the music and sound (Composer; Tommy Reilly, Sound Designer; Tingying Dong) which replicates a rapidly beating heart only adds to the ascending suspense.

Unlike Shakespeare, Marlowe’s writing does not hide sexuality in double entendre and veiled metaphors but is undisguised and overt, particularly in this new production of his play. Yet still, much of the language is poetic giving way for a strange softness in the queer love portrayed by Daniel Evans, Eloka Ivo, Kwaku Mills (Baldock), and Stavros Demetraki (Spencer). Edward II’s love and passion for Gaveston is harshly and brutally contrasted with the callous bloodshed, scheming, and betrayal at the heart of this play.

Despite telling a story from the 1300s, Christopher Marlowe’s writing, and Raggett re-imagination of his play about homosexuality, love, power and violence are still undeniably relevant in a world of continued hostility for queer people.

Running Time: 1 hour 40 mins (no interval). Edward II runs until Saturday 5th April. Book tickets online now!

This review was written following a press invite to Edward II.