Faustus

by Christopher Marlowe

Directed by Danny Partington

When low-born but academically gifted Faustus expresses his boredom and impatience with the various branches of knowledge, he concludes that only magic is worth learning. To this ends he summons the devil Mephistopheles and exchanges his soul for 24 years of unlimited knowledge and power. But as the clock ticks down until he’s dragged to hell, can Faustus put his arrogance and ego aside to save himself from eternal damnation?

Poster for the theater production of Faustus by Marauders Theatre Company, featuring a young man sitting on a green leather armchair with dark curtains in the background.

Background

The approach for the Marauders’ third Fringe show was simplicity. Stripping this classic play back to its core, removing antiquated “miracles” like being able to find fresh grapes in the depths of winter, and focusing more on the play’s focus on one man’s journey from hubris to repentance.

The use of this more Spartan staging was done with one guiding principle: the actions on stage need only be real to Faustus himself. Therefore the audience, many of whom already knew the play’s ending, could be brought in on the joke with Lucifer and Mephistopheles. The only person who could not foresee the tragic consequences of their actions was the man at the centre, making his isolation and despair all the more heightened.

Faustus was previewed in Huddersfield, at The Lawrence Batley Theatre, in August of 2019 before being taken to Edinburgh Fringe Festival later the same month at the Surgeon’s Hall, where it had a critically acclaimed run.

“Utterly Brilliant”

“Superb interpretation”

“Phenomenal acting, costuming, lighting”

“Sucked me into the dark, magical twists”

“Lived up to expectations”

Black background with a large white five-point star in the center.
White five-pointed star on a black background.
Black background with a white five-pointed star in the center.
White star on a black background.
  • A young man with dark hair and fair skin standing in a dimly lit alley with brick walls, wearing a black turtleneck and blazer, looking directly at the camera.

    Faustus

    played by Joe Medlock

  • A young man with a moody expression, short blond hair, dark makeup around his eyes, wearing a black jacket over a torn black shirt, standing in a dimly lit, rustic room with exposed brick walls and wooden beams.

    Mephistopheles / Sins

    played by Matt Ogden

  • A young man in a black suit with a red tie stands with hands clasped in front in a dimly lit, rustic interior. He has dark hair and dark eye makeup, giving a dramatic appearance.

    Lucifer

    played by Danny Partington (also director)

Check out our teaser trailer

Three young men performing a scene on a stage, two seated on the floor facing each other and one lying on a ledge behind them, all engaged in expressive acting.
Two young men appear emotional; one has a bruised face, closed eyes, and a pained expression, while the other looks serious and resolute. The scene is dark and intense.
A young man with dark hair wearing a black turtleneck sweater, sitting indoors with a window in the background.
Two young men, one with a beard and the other clean-shaven, in a close embrace indoors near a window.
Two men in a tense confrontation, one wearing a black shirt with a serious expression, the other in a maroon hoodie with a menacing appearance and dark makeup.
A young man with dark hair and fair skin looking focused with his hand raised, in a room with yellow walls and windows.

A Special Thanks To…

The Lawrence Batley Theatre - Preview Venue

Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Surgeon’s Hall, The Space UK - Venue

Ben Steadman - Principle Photography