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18 June, 2006

Two New Adaptations of Marlowe's 'Edward II'

Spotted on Lulu, a modern reworking of Christopher Marlowe's c. 1592 play Edward II, by Tal Lostracco. It "boldly portrays the sexual and political subtexts" of the play, and it has a pair of hotties on the front cover. What more could you want?? I'm definitely going to order this.

I'm rather ashamed to admit that I still haven't read Marlowe's play from beginning to end. I'm going to have to rectify that very soon, as I'm lucky enough to have tickets for a new production, on 30 July. It's directed by Malachi Bogdanov, performed by the Wales Theatre Company, in the German city of Neuss (on the other side of the Rhine from where I live) at the city's annual Shakespeare Festival. Here's a description of the production:

Edward II tells the tragic tale of a king who chooses to openly live his homoerotic passion for Gaveston, a Frenchman and alien element at the English court, setting his passion for this young man above the well-being of both his kingdom and his family. His queen, wounded and humiliated, falls under the control of the ambitious Mortimer, who, knowing he has both church and parliament behind him, hunts the king down like a wounded animal, his end a truly horrific one. Malachi Bogdanov directs the cast of the renowned Wales Theatre Company in this explosive mix of sex, crime and politics.

Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? I can hardly wait.
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10 comments:

  1. CarlaSunday, 18 June 2006 at 18:50:00 BST

    It does indeed sound wonderful!

    I find it difficult to read plays. Not sure whether this is me being thick, or possibly a reaction to doing Macbeth line-by-line at school before having ever seen the play, so I had lots of notes about tree imagery (the subject of the teacher's dissertation, apparently)but no idea what the story was about. Does anyone else find it hard to read drama?

    Please review the Lulu book when you've read it - it looks like something I might like and I'd love to know what you think of it.

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  2. Kathryn WarnerSunday, 18 June 2006 at 20:08:00 BST

    Hi Carla. I've ordered the Lulu book now, though it will probably take several weeks, as it's being shipped from the US to Europe. I'll definitely review it asap!

    I know exactly what you mean about finding it difficult to read plays. I've done my best with Marlowe, but I also have bad memories of Hamlet, Julius Caesar and Richard II from school - so much focus on rhyming couplets and symbolism, and so little on the themes and ideas of the plays!

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  3. Gabriele CampbellSunday, 18 June 2006 at 20:10:00 BST

    Horrific end - looks like they're getting that hot iron poker out again. ;)

    I like reading plays. Actually, I prefer it to watching them, esp. in those modern versions that keep haunting the theatres. I don't know why actors have to roll on the floor so much. TV even showed an Ibsen with modernized dialogues recently. *shudder* They hadn't discotheques back then.

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  4. Susan HigginbothamMonday, 19 June 2006 at 13:32:00 BST

    I like reading plays and watching them--it was re-reading Marlowe's Edward II play online that got me interested in his reign. It's been a long time since I've read a modern play, though--most of those I'm content to see onstage.

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  5. Susan HigginbothamMonday, 19 June 2006 at 13:33:00 BST

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  6. CarlaTuesday, 20 June 2006 at 13:54:00 BST

    Lulu has a printer in Spain now, apparently, so in theory it ought to be shipped from there if their systems are working properly. So with a bit of luck you might not have to wait several weeks.

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  7. Kathryn WarnerTuesday, 20 June 2006 at 19:40:00 BST

    Thanks for the info, Carla. I've just received a message that the book's been shipped,but it doesn't say where from! ;)

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  8. AnonymousThursday, 6 July 2006 at 16:30:00 BST

    lostracco's adaptation of eII is different to say the least. i was one of his students and am listed in the script as Lady Margaret du Clare. which is of course incredible to say the least. hope you enjoy the script. but if you don't enjoy the modernization of Marlowe's script, then good luck. feel free to contact me if you feel like it. i personally love the script. and i loved the show. i just can't imagine not having done it. hope you enjoy it.

    katie
    btesop@aim.com

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  9. Kathryn WarnerFriday, 7 July 2006 at 15:20:00 BST

    hi Katie,
    Many thanks for leaving the comment and your email address! I'll be in touch very soon.

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  10. AnonymousThursday, 29 November 2007 at 06:47:00 GMT

    hey, folks. just to throw another "Edward" into the ring, (re:) Directions Theatre Company is doing a new and compelling production of Marlowe's Edward II at 14th St. Y Theater 11/29 - 12/16. find out more at www.redirectionstheatre.com or get tickets at www.smarttix.com. student discounts are available at smarttix with the code "MARLOW" (yeah, we know; it could only be six characters).

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