The production, which starts previews Feb. 16, 2006, at the Comedy Theatre, opens Feb. 27 and will see director Bill Alexander return to the play he premiered in 1992.

Originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, The School of Night is mainly concerned with the life and death of Marlowe, whose murder in a Deptford pub brawl could have been the result of his atheism, his espionage, his sexuality or, as one theory has it, an argument over the bill.

Born in Canterbury, 1564, Marlowe attended the King's School and was awarded a scholarship to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Perhaps the first Cambridge spy, he was recruited as a part-time secret service agent prior to beginning a glowing literary career.

His plays include The Jew of Malta, Doctor Faustus, Edward II and Tamburlaine the Great.

Eccleston recently starred in the BBC revival of the high-profile British sci-fi television series “Dr Who.” Eccleston’s stage work includes the title role in Hamlet for West Yorkshire Playhouse, Michael Boyd's production of Miss Julie at the Haymarket Theatre, Abingdon Square and Bent — both for the National Theatre. Whelan’s other plays include The Accrington Pals , The Herbal Bed and A Russian in the Woods.

The School of Night is booking until June 3.

For more information call (0)870 0606637.