Why Marlowe?
The life and death(?) of Christopher Marlowe makes for an intriguing story. It has all the elements of high drama – poor but talented boy makes good, international espionage, treason, execution, royal politics, religion, sex, and murder.
I was fascinated by the connundrums posed by this one man’s life. Who was he? What made his genius mind tick? Why and how did he die?
That he was from historic Canterbury – a city I love dearly – made him an appealing study. I had helped to create a very funny show, Snakes! The Musical, which had become a cult darling at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013. I was busy writing the sequel to a tween fantasy novel, when some friends came to visit. As I took them on a walking tour around Canterbury, I began the tale of Christopher Marlowe in front of his namesake theatre. It struck me even as I retold his story how a musical could be created around his melodramatic life.
So, here we are with the birth of something new using the old.
Kit the Musical is a paean to Marlowe – his words take on a new life within the songs and libretto. I hope audiences will develop a renewed appreciation for this fine dramatist through Kit.
Julian Ng
Acknowledgements
Along the way, I have been fortunate enough to meet some excellent people who have shone light on dusky paths and given rays of hope. The Lord Mayor of Canterbury 2016/2017 George Metcalfe cajoled me into signing up with the Marlowe Society.
At one of the events, I met the Society Chairman, the late Prof Ken Pickering (himself a renowned theatre man) and many other Marlowe enthusiasts. Later on, I met Dr Peter Hodges (author of the phenomenal Marlowe’s Complaint). We got along sufficiently well enough to create a Marlowe-themed podcast together called Hidden in Plain Sight. The podcast is now in its 4th series, with the aid and expertise of Carol Paxton who joined from Series 2. Both Peter and Carol have been a font of knowledge and encouragement, and I am deeply indebted to them. The research and findings of the podcast have directly led to the current incarnation of the musical.
Lastly, to all the websites of amazing research out there – where would I be without you?
From faithful reproductions of actual Elizabethan records (e.g. Baines’ Note, the Coroner’s Report, etc.) to fervent discussions about Marlowe, I have immersed myself in countless hours of joyful curiosity.