The Jew of Malta was almost certainly the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, but, quite unlike the tragedy of Shylock, the plot surrounding Marlowe’s Jew is an hilarious revenge play. Where Shylock, stripped of his possessions, quietly adheres to the judgement of Venice, Barabas (Marlowe’s devious hero) sets about the destruction of the Christians who have robbed him. This path leads him to poison an entire convent by lacing their porridge, ‘frame’ a Maltese monk for the murder of one of his brethren, coax his daughter into taking a nun’s vows (twice!), pose as a French musician, lead the Turkish army in an assault on the city and finally meet his death in a pit of flames!!!

And all on the Barn stage.