Christopher Marlowe

hristopher Marlowe as poet and playwright was at the forefront of the dramatic renaissance in Elizabethan England, a writer to whom Shakespeare and others that followed owe a huge debt of gratitude. His Tamburlaine took the London stage by storm in 1587, "threatning the world with high astounding tearms" so popular that a sequel quickly followed. Marlowe's "mighty line" and innovative blank verse delivered five more plays including Doctor Faustus and Edward the Second, that packed the groundlings into the Rose Theatre on Bankside during a career that spanned little more than half a dozen years. A man with eloquent and forthright views, he also led a dangerous and action-packed life outside the theatre. Entangled in the outer web of the Elizabethan espionage network, Marlowe's life ended dramatically and prematurely in 1593 when, aged just 29, he was stabbed to death at Deptford Strand in disreputable company and mysterious circumstances only uncovered more than 300 years later.

Kit Marlowe 1564 will attempt to tell the story of Marlowe's life and ultimate tragedy, following his journey from childhood Canterbury via the University of Cambridge to the great city of London and beyond. It will look at his plays and poems, providing historical background as well as introducing his drama and characters. It is also intended to provide a comprehensive list of Marlowe productions around the world, both forthcoming and those in the recent past with links to reviews of the same, as well as details of Marlowe infotainment events. And for those who cannot "lay those damned bookes aside", a reading list will include some recommended interesting publications and websites covering Marlowe, his life and his works.

Of course it will take some time to recount even the shortened sequel of his life, and sections of the website will be published as they are finished. Our opening scene finds young Christopher growing up in the famous Cathedral city of Canterbury, with his ebullient shoemaker father, mother and sisters. Next we find Kit begin to settle his studies at school, initially a petty school, and then the King's School in Canterbury with its extensive library.

More material will follow, and you can keep up to date via Kit's @kitmarlowe1564.bsky.social BlueSky and @KitMarlowe_1564 Twitter feeds. In the meantime, please sit back and "view but his picture in this tragicke glasse, and then applaud his fortunes as you please..."