Showing at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre this month is Edward II, Christopher Marlowe's tragedy, featuring the RSC's co-artistic director Daniel Evans in the title role. The play is in turns heart-wrenchingly tender, brutally violent and bitingly political, offering complex characters who knit into a web of political intrigue and personal tragedy.

The play opens at the funeral of the old king - and therefore, the coronation of the new: Edward II (Daniel Evans). Audience members are invited to join the procession and pay their respects before taking their seats - hinting that even behind royal closed doors, the opinion of the people still has influence. With the old King's coffin still in situ, Edward makes his first royal proclamation - his previously banished ‘favorite’ Gaveston (Eloka Ivo) will return. Gaveston receives the news to the delight of his friends Spencer (Stavros Demetraki) and Baldock (Kwaku Mills) in the steamy privacy of a sauna, before returning to reunite with the King.

Even before the coronation, dissent is stirring among the nobles of the King's Court. Gaveston is disliked - the reason given is that he is of ‘low’ birth - but King Edward showers him with titles and influence, and chooses to walk hand in hand with his lover at the coronation, rather than his wife the Queen and their son. Cameras flash, the new King and Gaveston share a kiss - and Edward has apparently achieved his only goal, to cement Gaveston into his life. He is the king, so can surely do as he pleases…

The genius of director Daniel Raggett’s production is that in spite of the intricate political intrigue, the audience is never left wondering who is allied with whom. Each character undertakes a complex - and tragic - journey through the play, and everyone's motivations are clear, though they may be misguided, treacherous or flawed. As events spiral towards the play’s climax, individual decisions compound towards a violent conclusion.

Daniel Evans’ performance as Edward II is excellent, revealing the petulance of a king who believes that no one can deny him anything - while allowing the character to be deeply sympathetic as well. Edward’s Queen, Isabella (Ruta Gedmintas), and his brother Kent (Henry Pettigrew) show evident love and affection towards the King. Isabella weathers Edward’s cruel (and hypocritical) accusations that she is having an affair with Mortimer (Enzo Cilenti) - and Mortimer in turn finds himself taking an increasingly deadly course of action, in the name of ambition. And Jacob James Beswic gives a ghoulishly sinister portrayal of Lightborn - a psychopathic hired killer.

The play runs at an hour and 40 minutes without an interval, which allows the momentum and tension of the play to build without pause, assisted by the work of musical director Alice Brown. Edward II might not be as well-known or often-performed as the RSC's usual Shakespearean fare, but Marlowe's play is quite extraordinary - brought to life with style, clarity and high drama by this talented company.

Five Stars

Edward II was reviewed on Thursday 6 March by Jessica Clixby at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, where it runs until Saturday 5 April