John Heffernan takes his first National Theatre leading role in Edward II, Christopher Marlowe’s exploration of power, sexual obsession and a king who sees his country as a plaything.

It is not long after his coronation that new king Edward II ends his lover Gaveston’s exile and instead bestows riches and titles upon him, acts that, along with the simmering lust, angers his bishops, barons and previously devoted queen, tearing his kingdom apart.

Edward II’s leading man, Heffernan has previously appeared at the South Bank venue in productions including She Stoops To Conquer, Emperor And Galilean, After The Dance and Major Barbara, for which he won an Ian Charleson Award. He has most recently been seen in the hit West End production of The Hothouse.

His co-stars include Kyle Soller, who received an Olivier Award nomination for his performance in 2012’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and star of TV adaptations of Great Expectations and Labyrinth Vanessa Kirby.

Director Joe Hill-Gibbins makes his National Theatre debut with this production of Edward II.