Walking into The Mad Gay King at the King’s Head Theatre, you immediately sense that this isn’t just another historical drama. No, this is a Queer retelling, a rich and thrilling dive into the life of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who not only built fairytale castles but was also deeply obsessed with Richard Wagner’s operas. With this world premiere marking LA playwright Christopher Adams-Cohen’s UK theatrical debut, this production doesn’t shy away from the thorny intersections of desire, power, and madness – and it does so with fantastic, raw energy.
Adams-Cohen’s writing is intricate, laced with moments of humour and pathos, which keeps the audience deeply engaged. The playwright has expressed that this play was inspired by their wish to write the kind of Queer love story they wished they could have seen growing up. And it shows – the play doesn’t hold back in depicting the emotional and often torturous intersections of love and power in Ludwig’s life.
A Queer king teetering on the edge of love, legacy, and his own sanity, this play takes us deep into the lavish and lonely world of Ludwig II.
Elijah Ferreira’s portrayal of King Ludwig is magnetic. His performance effortlessly captures the flamboyance and fragility of a monarch whose obsession with beauty and romance becomes his undoing. Ferreira embodies Ludwig’s deep yearning for a world filled with art, music, and love, all while battling the forces of repression and isolation. You can feel the tension in every scene, as Ludwig’s vision of a perfect world begins to crumble under the weight of his passions and the expectations of his conservative court.
Opposite Ferreira is David Buttle, who plays Richard Hornig, the stable master with a secret, whose arrival at the Bavarian court throws Ludwig’s carefully constructed world into disarray. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and their interactions serve as the emotional core of the play. Buttle brings a quiet intensity to his role, providing a perfect foil to Ferreira’s Ludwig, whose wild dreams often outpace the reality around him.
In addition, Bernadine Pritchett and Thom Tuck also provide strong support, enriching the play with their portrayals of various figures in Ludwig’s court. Pritchett’s presence offers a grounded perspective amidst the chaos, while Tuck delivers moments of levity and tension in equal measure.
The production’s success also owes a lot to the deft direction of Scott Le Crass. Known for his ability to handle intimate dramas with precision and emotional depth, Le Crass brings out the rawest and most honest moments of the script. The play moves seamlessly through Ludwig’s turbulent emotions, alternating between moments of intense passion and quiet reflection, creating a rhythm that keeps the audience hooked from start to finish.
The King’s Head Theatre, with its cosy setting, feels like the perfect venue for this kind of personal and layered story. Its close quarters bring the audience right into Ludwig’s inner world, allowing every glance, every whispered word to land with impact. The minimalist staging works beautifully with Adams-Cohen’s script, which paints the opulence of Ludwig’s world with words rather than set pieces. This decision leaves room for the actors’ performances to shine, without distractions.
Yet, despite the play’s flamboyance and moments of humour, The Mad Gay King doesn’t shy away from its darker themes. At its core, the play is a tragedy. Ludwig’s passion for art, love, and beauty is also what isolates him from the world, leading to his eventual downfall. The production touches on themes of mental illness, antisemitism, and societal rejection, making it clear that Ludwig’s story, while set in the 19th century, resonates deeply with contemporary struggles for Queer acceptance and self-expression.
Final Thoughts ★★★★★
Would I recommend The Mad Gay King? Absolutely! It’s a stunning, emotionally charged production that manages to feel both epic and intimate, historical and fiercely contemporary. Elijah Ferreira’s portrayal of Ludwig is nothing short of mesmerising, and the chemistry between him and David Buttle is electric.
With Scott Le Crass’s masterful direction and the clever use of lighting to transform the stage, this production is an absolute triumph. It’s a play that reminds us of the power of art, love, and Queer identity – and of the inevitable price that sometimes comes with being true to oneself. For those looking for a Queer love story that’s as lavish as it is heartbreaking, The Mad Gay King is not to be missed.
Playing at the King’s Head Theatre, until 18 October 2024.
Disclaimer: A complimentary ticket was provided in return for an honest and unbiased review.
More Reading
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