Red Bull Theatre Brings Marlowe to Life

Any theatre aficionado or history buff will be able to tell you about the influence of Christopher Marlowe on the stage and in the world. His controversial themes and distinct bluntness earned him a reputation for a number of uncorroborated, unscrupulous activities in his personal life. However he was first and foremost a writer and even though he wrote on controversial themes (and perhaps because of it; 16th Century England was a pretty repressive place) he achieved great fame and quite a following despite his short life.

Red Bull Theatre announced in an e-blast that they are bringing back the work of Mr. Marlowe, as adapted by Garland Wright, with their upcoming production of Edward the Second. Edward the Second was Marlowe's criticisms and frustrations on the real Edward the Second whom he labels a homosexual and it will begin playing at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre (416 W 42nd St) shortly. At the convergence of sex and politics is where the best of the theatre has always been; King Edward declares his rights to lead his private life as he sees fit. But when he makes this proclamation, everything around him, "his love, his life and his kingdom" are destroyed.

Edward the Second posits many fine questions; questions we should perhaps be bringing to the fore with all this personal baggage being brought into our own political arena. Should people in power be given the same freedoms and the same privacy as everyman? Is there a line where the private life of politicians and the public persona they offer be shielded from common view?

This is the first off-Broadway revival of this fine play in more than 30 years. There are special deals that patrons can enjoy including cut-preview rates as well as discounted ticket prices for students with ID through the whole run.