16th Century Theatrical Masterpiece Set In Malta To Be Performed Locally For The First Time At The National Theatre

A highly anticipated classic theatrical performance written in the 16th Century is making its way to Malta.

Centred around a vengeful plot streaked with murder, The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe is being performed at the Manoel Theatre for the first time ever.

Marlowe’s masterpiece is one of the very few classical plays which is set entirely on the Maltese islands. The Jew of Malta takes place in an alternate reality where the Great Siege never actually took place, and the the Knights of Malta pay tributes to the Turkish Sultan in order to avoid a war.

Marlowe was Shakespeare’s contemporary and often wrote about power, politics, religion and society — all recurring themes in The Jew of Malta. Although it was written over 400 years ago, this play mirrors present day realities in a rathering harrowing manner.

Ahead of the show, a public talk will be held at the Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre on the 24th of September at 8pm. Delivered by Professor Vicki Ann Cremona, the discussion promises to broach Marlowe’s works and history.

The Jew of Malta boasts a strong cast including Naomi Knight, Mikhail Basmadjian, Erica Muscat, Antony Edridge, Alex Weenink, Edward Thorpe, Nathan Brimmer, Philip Leone-Ganado, Waylon D’Mello, Maxine Brimmer, Joe Depasquale, Maxine Brimmer, Helen Osborne, Daniela Carabott Pawley, Joseph Zammit, Rakelle Portelli, Luke Bugeja Gauci, Jes Sciberras, Nicole Schembri, Yazi Muscat and Keith Dimech.

Original music for the play was composed by Albert Garzia and choreography is by Francesco Nicodeme. The project was organised in collaboration with Teatru Manoel and MADC and is supported by the Project Support Grant and the Malta Arts Fund.

You can watch this performance on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th and 14th of October.

You can book your tickets here.

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