Liz Duffy Adams’ play Born With Teeth, which premiered in the West End in 2025, will transfer to Stratford-upon-Avon for a new run at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre. The politically charged drama imagines the complex relationship between Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare.

Born With Teeth will run at the Swan Theatre from 12 February to 3 April 2026, with a press night scheduled for 17 February. The play’s world premiere in the West End featured Edward Bluemel and Ncuti Gatwa as Marlowe and Shakespeare, exploring their secret meetings in the winter of 1591 amid conspiracy and surveillance.

The production is a co-production between the RSC, Playful Productions, and Grain of Sand Productions, with direction by RSC co-artistic director Daniel Evans. The design team includes Joanna Scotcher on set and costumes, Neil Austin on lighting, George Dennis on sound, Ira Mandela Siobhan as movement director, and Charlotte Sutton as casting director.

Casting for the Stratford run is yet to be announced. Born With Teeth will now replace the previously scheduled Othello at the Swan Theatre.

Othello, which was to be directed by Monique Touko with Sharon D Clarke as the title role, has been postponed as Clarke takes time to undergo treatment for cancer. Further details on that production’s future are to be confirmed.

Born With Teeth’s return to the RSC highlights the company’s interest in new historical dramas that explore artistic rivalry and political intrigue in the late 16th century.