The Marlowe Theatre is celebrating 450 years since its namesake’s birth with a season of his works and other events.
Christopher Marlowe’s Faustus and The Jew Of Malta will play the Theatre and The Massacre Of Paris also by Marlowe will be performed in the crypt of Canterbury Cathedral.
Fourth Monkey Theatre Company presents the season adding a new twist to the famous story of the man who sells his soul to the devil by having a female Faustus.
Fourth Monkey Theatre Company artistic director, Steven Green, has said, "I am genuinely excited about Marlowe450. To be delivering a season of Marlowe's work in repertory in association with The Marlowe Theatre and The Marlowe Society is an honour and a privilege on the anniversary of his birth.
"We hope this new season of Marlowe re-imagined also enables us to reach the young theatregoers of today and thus hopefully The Marlowe Society members and appreciators of tomorrow. Too often in Shakespeare's shadow, the man and the work deserves a stage of his own and in our own little way we are delighted to be offering him one."
The Jew of Malta is a gory tale of revenge whilst The Massacre At Paris recounts the systematic murder and execution of thousands of Protestants during the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre.
Amongst the other events in the programme are pre-show talks from Charles Nicholl, author of The Reckoning: The Murder of Christopher Marlowe, Ros Barber who wrote The Marlowe Papers and Jan Leeming, TV presenter and assistant guide at the cathedral.
Christopher Marlowe was an English dramatist, poet, translator and spy, born in Canterbury in 1564. He studied at King’s School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and died in mysterious circumstances aged only 29.
Marlowe450 runs from 12 to 28 March. For further information and booking visit the Marlowe’s web site.