​​​​​DIE FEL OMSTREDE KROON VAN EDWARD II EN GAVESTON by Tom Lanoye, Belgium's most famous novelist and playwright, which recently had its premiere at the KKNK, will soon be on stage at the SU Adam Small Laboratory Theatre in Stellenbosch.

This play features a star-studded cast: Edwin van der Walt, Beer Adriaanse, Rolanda Marais, André Roothman, Wilhelm van der Walt and Caleb Payne.

This exciting play is loosely based on Christopher Marlowe's EDWARD II of 1594. Marlowe himself happily recreated the tragic history of King Edward II of England, who was deposed after a messy reign in 1327 and was then, possibly, murdered by the nobles.

The question arises: what does it mean to wear the crown and how do you reconcile your own needs with the expectations of the nobility and the mob, as well as those of your wife and child?

Edward I is dying and hopes that his crown can go to his grandchild instead of his son whom he despises because of a relationship with his childhood friend, and now an exile, Gaveston. But Edward II is crowned and Gaveston is unbanned, and their love thrives to the consternation of that nobility and populace.

After an incident in which Gaveston exposes the archbishop publicly for what he really is, he is banished yet again. The situation turns into a political and personal crisis.

 In this masterly adaptation by Tom Lanoy, whose language can be described as ʼn dazzling fireworks, (Litnet, Marijke Coornaert) he explores love, power, personal choice, children, complex relationships and the place of the individual within a society under the weight of a heavy crown.

 The glittering pearls in the crown are the six actors: Edwin van der Walt as Edward II, Beer Adriaanse as Gaveston and the bringer of light, Rolanda Marais as Queen Isabella, Caleb Payne as the crown prince, André Roothman as old king and old Mortimer and Wilhelm van der Walt as young Mortimer. Together they lift each other up, challenge each other and are one in each other's greatness. (Marijke Coornaert, Litnet)

 It is theatre that makes you think and ponder what the pillars of a civilized society could be. (Laetitia Pople, Die Burger)

THAT HIGHLY CONTESTED CROWN OF EDWARD II AND GAVESTON can be seen from 13 to 24 June 2023. Direction and design by Marthinus Basson, music by David Wolfswinkel and lighting by Nicolaas de Jongh.

This is a project by the Central Events and Conferencing Office (CECO) in collaboration with RAMINIDAM and NOVIEGUIDE and the start of quarterly theatrical offerings by the SU Adam Small Theatre Complex.​

For more information and to purchase tickets click here​.