Theater Review: A Breathtaking ‘Oedipus’

Oedipus

Just imagine if in our time, we had a leader with integrity and probity, who searches out the truth, no matter what the cost to himself and his family. In Robert Icke’s magnificent reworking of Sophocles’ Oedipus, currently at Studio 54 through February 8, Mark Strong’s powerful, dynamically truthful Oedipus appears such a man. Likewise, Lesley Manville’s lovely, winning Jocasta is as his steely, adoring help-meet. Who wouldn’t embrace such a graceful couple as the finest figures to govern a nation?

Sophocles’ classic Greek tragedy defined the limits of the genre and imprinted on theatrical consciousness the idea that a tragic hero’s hubris causes his destruction. Oedipus evokes timeless verities. In his updated version, Icke, who also directs, superbly aligns the characters and the play’s elements with today’s political constructs. Icke does retain the names of the ancient characters, and this choice spurs our interest. How will he unravel Sophocles’ amazing tragedy, especially the conclusion?

A Newbie Politician who Stands for Reform

Cleverly, Icke presents Oedipus as a political campaigner who is part of a fledgling movement that over a two-year period gains critical mass. The production reveals Oedipus’ backstory in a filmed speech to reporters on the eve of the election. (The excellent video design is by Tal Yarden.)

In his speech Oedipus goes off-book and makes promises. Though his brother-in-law Creon (the fine John Carroll Lynch) tries to stop him, Oedipus proudly reveals himself a man of his word. He galvanizes the crowd when he states he will expose the lies of his opponents. Not only will he reveal his birth certificate (an ironic reference to President Obama), he will investigate the mysterious death of Laius, the former leader from decades ago who married Jocasta when she was a teenager. After Laius’ death, Oedipus met and married Jocasta despite their age difference. Over the years they raised three children: Antigone (Olivia Reis), Eteocles (Jordan Scowen), and Polyneices (James Wilbraham).

How has Oedipus become the people’s candidate? Without ties to the political system, he speaks a message of reform and justice, seeking to override the corrupt, derelict power structure. Previous leaders served their rich donors and let the other classes suffer. Oedipus runs on a mandate of equity and change.

Election Night Countdown

After Oedipus’ speech, the curtain opens to reveal a campaign headquarters (scenic design by Hildegard Bechtler). Staff gradually dismantles it as the campaign phase ends. To signify the next phase, the conspicuous countdown clock ticks away the seconds down to the announcement of the winner. As the clock ticks toward zero, the contents of the campaign war room are removed like the peeling of an onion to its core. The announcement of the winner and the revelation of Oedipus’ true identity approach concurrently.

Icke’s honest politician represents the head of state we yearn for, forgetting that leaders are flesh and blood. The tragedy of Icke’s hero, like Sophocles’ ancient one, results from Oedipus’ prideful search for the truth of his origin story and Laius’ cause of death.

Seeking the Truth

Oedipus’ determination is spurred by cultist future-teller Teiresias (the superb Samuel Brewer). His authoritative and relentless drive to prove Teiresias wrong, despite warnings from Creon and Jocasta, shows persistence and courage, positive leadership qualities. On the other hand, Oedipus doesn’t realize his search has a dark side and his persistence is stubbornness prompted by a prideful ego. This stubbornness causes his destruction. His pride leaves no way out for him but punishment.

Because the truth is so horrid, Strong’s Oedipus can’t suffer himself to cover it up. In searching to validate his true self, he discovers the flawed human that Teiresias identifies. Indeed, he is more flawed than most: a man who killed his father, married his mother, and had three children born out of love, lust and incest. Oedipus can never be the leader of the nation. He must hold himself accountable after he sees his debased true self. How Strong effects Oedipus’ self-punishment is genius. Clues to Jocasta’s end are sneakily tucked in earlier.

An Impactful Tragedy

Through Icke’s acute shepherding of the actors, and the illustrious performances of Manville, Strong, and Brewer, we feel the impact. The love between Jocasta and Oedipus, drawn in two passionate scenes, especially the last one, after they acknowledge who they are with one, long, silent look, devastates and convicts.

In the last scene, untangling from their hot grip, clinging to each other then letting go, they acknowledge their characters’ unfathomable and great loss. Manville’s Jocasta crawls away to reconcile the enormity of what she has done. In her physical act of crawling away, then getting up, we see that fate and their choices have diminished their majestic grace.

The Importance of Humility

Icke reminds us of the importance of humility. The more humanity celebrates its “greatness,” the more it reveals its base nature.

All the more tragedy for Oedipus’ supporters and the unnamed country. Because fate catches up with him and conspires with him to cut off his acceptance of the position he rightfully won, the nation loses. All the more sorrow that the truth and his honest search are what Oedipus prizes, even more than his love for Jocasta.

Rather than live covertly hiding their actions, Oedipus and Jocasta hold themselves accountable with a fatalistic strength and nobility. Initially, we learn of her strength as Jocasta tells Oedipus about her experience with the evil Laius (a reference to current political pedophiles and rapists). We see her strength in her self-punishment. Likewise, Oedipus’ strength compels him to face his deeds where cowards would cover up the truth, step into the position and govern autocratically. Oedipus is not such a man. It is an irony that he is a moral leader, but is unfit to lead.

The Performances Make This Oedipus Great

Icke’s masterwork and Manville and Strong’s performances will be remembered in this great production filled with ironic dialogue about sight, vision, blindness, and allusions to Oedipus and Jocasta’s incestuous relationship and downfall. Those familiar with the tragedy will get lines like Jocasta’s teasing Oedipus, “You’ll be the death of me,” and her telling people she has four children: “two at 20, one at 23, and one at 52.”

Though I think Icke should have ended the play in darkness, I “get” why he ends Oedipus in a flashback. In the very last scene the date is 2023. We watch the excited Oedipus and Jocasta choose the rented space (the stripped stage) for their campaign headquarters. The time and place mark the disastrous decision which ends in their destruction two years later. Jocasta says, “It feels like home.”

Her comment resonates. If Oedipus had not had a vision of himself as the ideal, righteous leader with truth at his core, the place where they are “at home” never would have been selected. Oedipus, a humble mortal, never would have run for high office.

Oedipus is at Studio 54 though February 8, 2026.