The Jew of Malta, presented to you for the first time this October, is one of Christopher Marlowe’s lesser known plays. This may be because of its strange amalgam of tragedy and fiercely black comedy.

In many ways it was ahead of its time and today reads more like a Quentin Tarantino script where violence and bloody slapstick comedy clash in one vibrant, fast-moving play. It expects a lot from its actors who are sent rushing in and out of scenes with breakneck alacrity in a plot which has so many twists and knots you could construct a macrame basket out of it .

It brings together characters of the three major monotheistic faiths, and roundly condemns all three. It is, in short, and typically of Marlowe, a revolutionary play which stings and hurts even as it entertains. 

The Jew of Malta, a collaboration between MADC and Teatru Manoel, is directed by Chris Gatt and features Mikhail Basmadjian as Barabas, Naomi Knight, Antony Edridge, Erica Muscat, Edward Thorpe, Philip Leone Ganado, Nathan Brimmer, Alex Weenink, Joe Despasquale, Maxine Brimmer, Helen Osborne, Joe Zammit, Waylon D'Mello and Daniela Carabott Pawley. Music by Albert Garzia.