Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1031063
16 CULTURE THEATRE maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 SEPTEMBER 2018 CHRIS GATT THIS October, the MADC and Teatru Manoel are join- ing forces to bring Christopher Marlowe's classic play The Jew of Malta to the Maltese stage. It is a play that is not per- formed often – and director Chris Gatt explains the rea- soning behind the MADC and Teatru Manoel's decision to stage it. "Marlowe was Shake- speare's contemporary," says Gatt. "But, perhaps because he died young – murdered in a pub brawl – or because his compendium of works is so small, he is often overlooked. "This is a pity because Marlowe has a lot to say, par- ticularly about society, corrup- tion and the lengths to which people will go to obtain pow- er… and perhaps this is why Marlowe is back in the lime- light with his plays being per- formed more often. So, in essence, the combina- tion of Marlowe and Malta seemed a natural choice." The Jew of Malta is a story of a man seeking revenge, which cascades into a series of ever more murderous events, with disastrous consequences. It is set in a Malta envisaged by Marlowe that audiences would not historically recognise. It is an alternate universe, one in which the knights of Malta are paying a tribute to the Turkish Sultan Suleiman, in order to stave off a potential attack from the Turks that the Knights would surely lose. Yet, as Gatt muses, its themes of corruption and hypocrisy in high places, racism against foreigners and minorities, and the dog-eat-dog attitude of its protagonists, is far too famil- iar. To this Marlowe adds reli- gion, and the historical hatred between Christians, Jews, and Muslims is the excuse used for the political power game played out on stage. "Marlowe understood this heady mix of power and re- ligion," continues Gatt, de- scribing The Jew of Malta as a slick, acutely-observed, fast- paced slice of political drama. "It feels fresh and as relevant today as it did 400 years ago, and it is a highly-entertaining, action-packed story, that will leave audiences breathless as it lurches from one disastrous event to the next, veering per- ilously between tragedy and high camp comedy." With a strong ensemble led by Mikhail Basmadjian, The Jew of Malta will be performed at Teatru Manoel on 5, 6, 7 and 12, 13, 14 October 2018. All performances start at 8pm; except for the October 6 per- formance, which starts at 6pm. Tickets are at €25, €20 and €10, with discounted tickets available for students and sen- ior citizens. Bookings on 2124 6389 or www.teatrumanoel. com. Classification 14+. This project is supported by the Pro- ject Support Grant, Malta Arts Fund – Arts Council Malta. *SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER WILL START AT 6PM PARTLY FUNDED BY SPONSORED BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE'S DIRECTED BY CHRIS GATT 5/6/7 & 12/13/14 OCTOBER 2018 AT 8* MIKHAIL BASMADJIAN NAOMI KNIGHT ANTONY EDRIDGE TEATRU MANOEL, VALLETTA BOOKING: +356 2124 6389 OR TEATRUMANOEL.COM.MT DIRECTED BY CHRIS GATT 5/6/7 & 12/13/14 The Jew of Malta to be staged in Malta PHOTO: JUSTIN MAMO