London. 1592. Ravaged by the plague, the city is also rife with religious fanaticism, political suspicion and the ever-present threat of the torture chamber. Deception, intrigue and murder are never far away. The literary world however, is reaching its zenith as the sparkling and brilliant Kit Marlowe, fresh from the success of Dr Faustus, encounters a young playwright by the name of William Shakespeare. It is a meeting with profound consequences, touching the royal household itself.
Peter Whelan’s sweeping, acclaimed historical thriller unravels the mystery of one of England’s most enigmatic literary geniuses. Who was Kit Marlowe, and to what secrets did he hold the key?
First staged by Bill Alexander for the RSC 13 years ago, on the 400th anniversary of Marlowe’s mysterious death, The School of Night opened to rapturous reviews at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, before transferring later in the year to the Barbican Centre in London.
This new production will be directed again by Bill Alexander and will star the immensely talented actor Christopher Eccleston as Kit Marlowe. Best known for his work on television, which includes Dr Who, Cracker, Our Friends in the North, and Flesh & Blood, and film, which includes Shallow Grave, Elizabeth, Jude and 24 Hour Party People, he is also an electrifying stage actor, who has given acclaimed performances in Miss Julie, and most recently, Hamlet.