A queer retelling of the life and love of one of history’s most scandalous kings makes its World Premiere in London this October.

The Mad Gay King will get its London screening from October 3 to 18 at the Kings Head Theatre, Islington.

The play is a queer retelling of the life and love of one of history’s most scandalous kings makes

Elijah Ferreira is cast as King Ludwig II of Bavaria, is a decadent 19th century monarch who funded the operas of Richard Wagner, built a flight of fairy tale castles, and was ultimately deposed by his conservative government on the grounds of homosexual insanity.

The play follows Ludwig’s dangerous obsessions as they are ignited by the arrival of Richard Hornig (David Buttle), a stable master with a secret. Hornig’s presence in the Bavarian court may forever change the course of Ludwig’s fateful legacy - placing the future of his kingdom, his legacy, and even his sanity at the edge of a dangerous precipice

The Mad Gay King by Christopher Adams-Cohen will open at King’s Head Theatre in London on October 3rd. Directed by West Enddirector Scott Le Crass (‘Rose’, Ambassadors Theatre) & produced by LA producer Amanda Schulz (‘The Rehearsal’, HBO), the play will mark LA playwright Christopher Adams-Cohen’s UK theatrical debut.

Sound Design is J.Aria a multi-instrumentalist producer and selector - a resident at both Adonis and Dalston Superstore. Their acid-camp, fierce-groove dramatics have seen them make waves across the queer underground, with appearances at worldwide institutions Carry Nation, Block9 (Glastonbury Festival) and Body Movements. With acclaimed worldwide releases on Nervous Records, and their debut EP ‘PUSSY SUITE’ on Adonis.

Previous work for composition on the BBC short film ‘STONEWALL 2069’ which is available on BBC iplayer.

Integrating it’s historical sources with elements of the contemporary queer underground, this thrilling new production is a celebration of the enduring power of fantasy and mythmaking as a means of LGBTQ+ survival.

Content Warning: mental illness, suicidal ideation, incidents of antisemitism, PTSD, sex

Age Guidance: 18+

Running time: 70 min

Social Media: @themadgayking, @kingsheadtheatre

Tickets: From £10-£28 https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/the-mad-gay-king