AUDITIONS - The Jew of Malta

Posted on Feb 17, 2018 by Christopher Marlowe

In October 2018 the Club is planning to produce The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe and directed by Chris Gatt at Teatru Manoel 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, 14th October 2018.  Auditions will be held on Saturday 24th February 2018 at 2pm at the MADC Clubrooms, St. Venera.  To book an audition slot email info@madc.com.mt and indicate the character/s you are interested in auditioning for. Kindly familiarise yourselves with the script - https://www.gutenberg.org/files/901/901-h/901-h.htm

The Jew of Malta 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 .

You want to know more about the plot?  Sure you do.  Ok, here goes: We meet Machiavel, the amoral philosopher who believed that the end always justifies the means.  He acts as godfather to the play.  Because this is a play where every character is totally working to their own very selfish agenda.  Sound familiar?

Then there is the governor of Malta who, forced to pay a tribute to the Turkish Sultan Calymuth in order to stave of war, decides that the easiest way to do this is to take it off the Jewish community based in Malta.  One particular fellow is silly enough to protest and immediately sees all his goods and wealth (worth more than all of Malta’s GDP) seized along with his house.  Barabbas, for that is his name, retaliates by tricking the Governor's son and his friend into fighting over the affections of his daughter, Abigail.  When they both die in a duel, Barabbas becomes further incensed when Abigail, horrified at what her father has done, runs away to become a Christian nun. In retribution, Barabas then goes on to poison her along with the whole of the nunnery, strangles an old friar who tries to make him repent for his sins and then frames another friar for the first friar's murder. Get the picture?

It is a difficult play  which refuses definition: at turns political, satirical, farcical and even tragic.

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.  For those interested, visit this link for a detailed synopsis: https://www.shmoop.com/jew-malta/summary.html   

 

CHARACTER LIST

Barabbas:  The Jew of Malta  (pre-cast)

Ferneze:  Governor of Malta  (pre-cast)

Ithamore:  Slave bought by Barabbas, becomes his ‘evil’ side-kick (pre-cast)

Abigail: Daughter of Barabbas

Calymath: Son of the Turkish Sultan, leader of the Turkish army

Bellamira:  A Maltese prostitute. Well we all have to make a living.

Pillia-Borza:  Her pimp

Jacomo:  A friar responsible for the conversion of Abigail.

Bernadine:  Another friar, friend of Jacomo, until, of course they argue about money.

Lodowick:  Son of the Governor Ferneze, who fancies Abigail

Mathias:  A Maltese young man, who unfortunately for him, is the lover of Abigail. (After all no one wants the Governor’s son as your rival. Oh and he’s also a Christian, so Barabbas is not keen on him either.)

Katherine:  Mathias’ mother

Assorted Jews, Maltese, Governor’s attendants, Calymath’s attendants

Please note that this is an ensemble production with most actors taking on several roles. Also  the production will include elements of gender fluidity, that is roles will not necessarily be assigned according to the gender of the character.

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