Edward II - The Gay King
Director Char Li Chung has created a contemporary costume drama based on Christopher Marlowe’s play Edward II. Back in the 16th century, Marlowe created one of the first openly homosexual characters in Edward II. Following on from the popular reception for Don Caravaggio (nominated for the BNG Bank Theaterprijs award 2019) and his adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s De Profundis (2021), Chung once again sinks his teeth into a queer character from history.
duration 110 minutes
language Dutch
Edward II - The Gay King
Edward is young and full of lust for life. His coronation marks the beginning of a new era. Time for love! Passion! Celebration! Peace! Encased in the crown, Edward dives headlong into everything he has been denied his whole life.
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All eyes are on him, but Edward seems through his choices to be neglecting his political and worldly duties. Everyone around the king serves the crown and acts in the interest of the realm. But what if this interest represents something different to everyone? Will the young, contrary Edward be forced to choose between love and politics? Are these mutually exclusive, or can they coexist within one human being?
Reviews
NRC
'Fjodor Jozefzoon is a revelation in the lead role.'
de Volkskrant
'A bold, engaging comedy.'
Theaterkrant
Thanks to the strong acting of the entire cast, with a delightfully over-the-top Sigrid ten Napel, this age-old drama of kings effortlessly holds its own.
ITA Pride
Especially for Pride Amsterdam, ITA brings unique and special performances to Amsterdam. Feeling free to be yourself without any imposed norms from outside, that's what characterizes the programmes within ITA Pride. The performances draw attention to urgent themes, such as the diversity of gender identities, and call for embracing 'being different'.
Credits
text Christopher Marlowe
adaptation Jibbe Willems
direction Char Li Chung
actors Abe Dijkman, Matthijs IJgosse, Fjodor Jozefzoon, Tobias Kersloot, Ziggy Knel, Sigrid ten Napel
dramaturgy Madelon Kooijma
set design Ruben Wijnstok
lighting design Yuri Schreuder
costume design Armia Yousefi
costume workshop Femke van Neerven
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technology Wiel Coopmans, Denson Batteké
campaign image Marijke de Gruyter and Nicolien de Jong
marketing Daniel Jaspers, Thijs Toonen and Femke Krijntjes
interaction and inclusion Saly Ndoyeen, Sara Bouman
context programme Lukas Schmidt and Manon Lewin
podcast maker Vinny Tailor
speakers podcast Elmar Noteboom, Jonas Roelens
speakers interview Steef Kersbergen, Terence Tyrone Wenno, Pepijn Korfage
with thanks to prof. Ruud van den Beuken, David Cham