Edward II

A perverse, sexy and provocative look at a leader who pays the ultimate price for making the personal political, Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre presents a new adaption by Anthony Weigh of Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II from 29 July 2016.

Edward II is a leader who fails to lead – a King who loses everything because of his addiction to another man. Newly crowned, he spends his days lavishing his lover Piers with titles and riches. Convinced he is invincible, he flaunts this affair, causing outrage across the nation. Edward is the narcissist you will stay up all night for, but there will be blood on the dance floor when the sun rises.

Christopher Marlowe’s tale of obsession and revolution has fascinated artists for centuries. Reinvented by Brecht, reimagined by filmmaker Derek Jarman, and now radically revamped by director Matthew Lutton, expect a collision of danger and fabulous extravagance.

Leaving the Elizabethan language behind, Anthony Weigh’s new adaption gives Marlowe’s 14th century king a facelift, melding the lust and politics of the 14th and 21st centuries to dizzying effect.

Edward II features Paul Ashcroft (Cruel And Tender, Howie The Rookie, The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later), Johnny Carr (What Rhymes With Girls and Cars. M+M, The Boys, Suburban Mayhem), Marco Chiappi (The Mystery Of The Hansom Cab, Love And Information, His Girl Friday) and Belinda McClory (The Doctor Blake Mysteries, The Matrix, Splendour).

Anthony Weigh graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney in 1989 and since then has worked extensively as an actor both in Australia and internationally. In 2003 he undertook a Masters in Playwriting at the University of Birmingham.

Anthony’s plays include Like A Fishbone, The Silence Of The Sea, The Flooded Grave, 2,000 FEET AWAY and The Middle Man. His new version of Jean Anouilh’s Le Voyageur Sans Bagage, Welcome Home, Captain Fox! opened at the Donmar Warehouse in February 2016.

A former Associate Artist at the Donmar Warehouse and is under commission to the National Theatre, Anthony’s awards and fellowships include the Australia Council for the Arts Emerging Artists Grant, Mick Young Playwright Award, the Mike Walsh Fellowship and the Barry Jackson Scholarship at the University of Birmingham.

Director: Matthew Lutton Featuring: Paul Ashcroft, Johnny Carr, Marco Chiappi, Belinda McClory, Julian Mineo, Nicholas Ross Set & Costume Design: Marg Horwell Lighting Design: Paul Jackson Composition & Sound Design: Kelly Ryall