When Richard Hornig (David Buttle - Slow Horses, Apple TV; Aids: The Unheard Tapes, BBC; Backstairs Billy, West End), a stable master with a secret, arrives at the court of King Ludwig II (Elijah Ferreira - Innocence, Royal Opera House Olivier Awards Winner 2024, Best Performer in a Musical - The Stage), the young monarch’s most decadent obsessions are ignited—placing the future of his kingdom, his legacy, and even his sanity at the edge of a dangerous precipice.
Based on true events, The Mad Gay King is a homoerotic retelling of the life and love of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, an infamous 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.
This sweepingly romantic premiere, presented by An Accomplished Woman Productions (Amanda Schulz; HBO & Netflix) and directed by Scott Le Crass (Rose, Buff, Best Director Nominee), marks the UK debut of LA- born playwright Christopher Adams-Cohen. Integrating its historical sources with elements of the contemporary queer underground (Sound Design by J.Aria: Dalston Superstore, Adonis) this thrilling new production is a celebration of the enduring power of fantasy and mythmaking as a means of LGBTQ+ survival.
CAST & CREATIVES
Cast
Elijah Ferreira | King Ludwig II
David Buttle | Richard Hornig
Bernadine Pritchett | Woman
Thom Tuck | Man
Creative Team
Playwright | Christopher Adams-Cohen
Director | Scott Le Crass
Executive Producer | Antoinette Adams
Producer | Amanda Schulz
Sound Design | J. Aria @_j.aira_
Lighting Designer | Joseph Bryant
Dramaturg | Patty Kim Hamilton
Visual System, Identity & Design | Yence Studio @yencestudio
Marketing & Design | Holly Salewski
Photography | Kit Dale @kitdaledop
Director of Promotional Assets | Samuel Douek