Oedipus
17 October 2024
Wyndham’s Theatre
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Robert Icke takes on Sophocles’ epic tragedy in Oedipus, currently running at the Wyndham’s Theatre until early January 2025. The oft told story is transformed into a political thriller in this stunning production.
The show starts with a large screen covering the stage, showing Mark Strong as Oedipus giving a speech during his rally campaign at the close of an election. Behind him, supporters with red, white, and blue Oedipus posters, reminding of the 2008 Obama campaign, his speech a rousing call to action in support of the small, everyday working people. Also reminding of Obama’s election campaigns, Oedipus promises to produce his own birth certificate to prove his heritage once he wins the election, a promise that will come back to haunt him later in the show.
The stage itself is simple yet effective. An election campaign office, held in whites and creams with a bright orange statement rug and practical office furnishings, bit by bit removed as the action intensifies throughout the production until just a barren room is left at the crescendo.
Mark Strong effortlessly portrays a charming and charismatic Oedipus, powerful and strong, yet in touch with his emotions and not afraid to heap love and admiration onto his family. Lesley Manville impresses with a dominant, supportive, loving and demanding Jocasta by his side. Equally impressive is June Watson as Merope, a brilliant actor who I’ve seen in many productions previously and who always fully convinces and enthrals the audience. The whole cast is perfectly selected for their roles, a strong group of actors inhabiting the stage with passion and skill.
The tense family drama is married with a tense political drama beautifully, unravelling conspiracies and hidden information to devastating effects. Whether the audience knows the story well or not at all, this contemporary retelling of a classic is definitive theatre at its best. Marrying the modern with the ancient in an impeccably timed production that perfectly fits into the current socio-political landscape. I cannot praise this show highly enough, deeply touching and redefining what theatre can do with classic myths.
