The Reckoning

Available for over a year

Historian Jerry Brotton presents a 10-part exploration into the life and work of the Elizabethan playwright Christopher ‘Kit’ Marlowe. Notorious for his violent death in a brawl in Deptford on the banks of the Thames, there’s perennial interest in Marlowe’s writing, his sexuality, his relationship with Shakespeare, the suspicion that he was a spy and the big “what-if” he had lived longer and produced even greater work. Step-by-step, Jerry Brotton traces Kit Marlowe’s life and career, takes us through his key plays including Tamburlaine, Dr Faustus and Edward II, examines why they resonate with us now and talks to those today who are still fascinated by Kit’s legacy and influence. In the final programme of the series, Jerry Brotton returns to Deptford to investigate the claims that Kit Marlowe was murdered. He visits the churchyard where Kit is believed to be buried, assesses the evidence as to who might have ordered his death, and he finally ‘reckons’ with Kit’s personal and literary legacy. With Lucy Munro; Charles Nicholl; Ray Mia; Emma Smith; Stephen Greenblatt and Jude Owusu. Written and presented by Professor Jerry Brotton Produced by Melissa FitzGerald Christopher Marlowe read by Justice Ritchie Other voices read by Tonderai Munyevu Sound design by Tony Churnside A Zinc Audio Production