OEDIPUS Previews

Truth is a mother****er.

After a bevy of 5-star reviews in London and two 2025 Olivier Awards, a revival of Oedipus starts its Broadway campaign at the iconic Studio 54. Adapted and directed by Robert Icke and reimagined as a modern-day political thriller, the Sophocles tragedy stars Mark Strong and Lesley Manville, reprising their West End performances as Oedipus and Jocasta. The cast also features Teagle F. Bougere, Samuel Brewer, John Carroll Lynch, Ani Mesa-Perez, Bhasker Patel, Anne Reid, Olivia Reis, Jordan Scowen, and James Wilbraham. Previews begin tomorrow (October 30), opening night is November 13, and the play runs through February 8.

“Election night. The polls predict a landslide victory. Everything is about to change. Sophocles’ epic tragedy is transformed into an explosive political thriller, reimagining Ancient Greek mythology to bring the secrets of the past bursting into the present.”

Who here is casting their vote?

Updated On: 10/30/25 at 12:00 AM

So glad you felt that way. What Manville does is just extraordinary and I can’t imagine any living human being coming to Broadway this season and giving a better performance.

Criterion Ticketing lists a 2-hour running time, without an intermission.

Cannot wait. Going to try and catch it this weekend.

Also, PSA --- Rush is avail powered by TodayTix - $45.00 day-of, on-sale starts at 9am each day.

Looks like tonight’s first preview gift was a good one: custom-made campaign posters reading “OEDIPUS BROADWAY.”

OEDIPUS MERCH

I went into this not knowing anything about it & left feeling very fortunate to have had the opportunity witness it. Everyone was terrific with my favs being recognizable Lesley Manville, Anne Reid & John Carroll Lynch. There was a subtle ambient sound fill or else 53rd St. adds its own rolling thunderish exhaust every now & then. Some scenes seem very low volume wise or else I wouldn't be so sensitive to sounds like that. I would recommend getting the listening devices to anyone further back in the house. I was back orch. left.

chrishuyen said: "How is the language of the play? Like is it easy to understand/digest or would it be worth doing some reading up beforehand (I know the general gist of the play but not any specific events)."



It is a totally modern adaptation. You won't have any issues understanding the text as written but unfortunately I did find the volume to be very low in the final dress.

Updated On: 10/31/25 at 04:21 PM

BwayinVan said: "What are the chances this could extend?"

Manville opens in Les Liaisons Dangereuses on 21 March at the National Theatre, so any extension wouldn't be for very long I imagine.

Updated On: 10/31/25 at 07:56 PM

SteveSanders said: "BwayinVan said: "What are the chances this could extend?"

Manville opens in Les Liaisons Dangereuses on 21 March at the National Theatre, so any extension wouldn't be for very long I imagine.

Yes. This is a STRICTLY limited engagement. It's closing 2/6.

Agree. Don't miss it. This will have nominations for Leading Actor, Leading Actress, Director and Best Revival of a Play. Easily. Some wins are in the future. There's a reason it won Actress, Director and Best Revival at the Oliviers.

Skip the distant mezz at 54. Orchestra on this one.

Updated On: 11/1/25 at 02:28 AM

SteveSanders said: "BwayinVan said: "What are the chances this could extend?"

Manville opens in Les Liaisons Dangereuses on 21 March at the National Theatre, so any extension wouldn't be for very long I imagine.

"

Plus, typically theatres need around 4-6 weeks at minimum between one show closing and the next starting performances. Rocky Horror is slated to start 6.5 weeks after the current closing date. So at most, this would have maybe a 2-week extension, but even that's not likely.

Ensemble1728379893 said: "Unfortunately, I have to disagree with the majority. I have to agree that the sound is awful. I was sitting front mezz and I had trouble hearing what was being said. I had read Icke's adaptation so I was not lost. Also, there are several scenes that take place on a couch placed on the right of the stage; thus I would recommend sitting on the left. Now, many spoilers.....stop reading.

I thought it was okay. I have seen most of Icke's work. I fell in love with his Wild Duck at the Almeida and I have seen his Hamlet, Oresteia twice each. The Doctor was also great. And I likehis Oedipus adaptation (only one issue mentioned below). I thought his directing here is not great. It is difficult not to think of Van Hove's "Bridge." The way the staging is set up I was expecting a coup de théâtre of some sort, but it never happened. Also, the classical music in crescendo, the white walls, kind of seemed to anticipatesomething that never happened. I have read and seen many productions of Oedipus so there is no surprise but I was expecting more. And boy, didI hatethe "epilogue."

I thought Strong and Manville were good, nothing extraordinary. The rest of the cast is fine and I am sure they will improve. I also hated all the crazy movement of setting the table, removing all the dishes, the furniture, even the carpet.... no wonder I kept waiting for some big theatrical "moment" but it never happened. Oh well...."

I agree with you Ensemble, I appreciate Icke’s adaptations as well and I loved The Doctor but this is a misfire and a banalization of the original. It’s not awful but there’s way too much Icke and not enough Sophocles.

Updated On: 11/1/25 at 10:07 PM