Oedipus

A-

Robert Icke’s reworking of Sophocles’ tragedy, now playing at Studio 54, is well worth seeing. The two leading performances, by Mark Strong in the title role and, especially, by Leslie Manville as Jocasta are extremely powerful. The concept of making Oedipus a reform politician running to be the leader of an unnamed country is a clever one and allows Icke to bring in some contemporary references such as questions over a birth certificate and abuse of teenage girls by powerful men. The opening video of his final campaign rally provides a very strong start. The play is set in his campaign office after polls have closed and a celebration is anticipated. We see the private man, arrogant and often behaving badly to his family and subordinates. Merope (a fine Anne Reid), his supposed mother, has arrived unexpectedly and begs him for a private conversation, but he keeps putting her off. Teiresias (Samuel Brewer), a blind homeless seer, has somehow sneaked into campaign headquarters to warn Oedipus of what is about to befall him, but is tossed out in anger after Oedipus hears his warning. There are subplots, such as Oedipus’ acceptance of his gay son that seem irrelevant and merely slow the narrative down. The juxtapositions between the ancient tale and the modern one occasionally feel awkward. Some of the allusions to events yet to be revealed are a bit clunky. The script would benefit from a short trim to eliminate some of its repetitiveness. Oedipus’ investigation into the death of Laius, the former ruler and Jocasta’s former husband, yields results that prove devastating for all. A powerful scene that is a logical end to the play is puzzlingly followed by a brief coda that detracts from rather than adds to what precedes it. The set by Hildegard Bechtler is sleekly minimal and the costumes by Woiciech Dziedzic are apt. Icke’s direction gives his actors plenty of opportunity to show their stuff. Despite the misgivings I have mentioned, I think the play is a must-see for lovers of serious theater. Running time: two hours, no intermission.