OEDIPUS: A Bold New Take on the Timeless Classic

Greek tragedy has long held a place in the hearts of theatre aficionados, offering a window into universal themes of fate, identity, and the human condition. This winter, those timeless concerns find fresh life in the new adaptation of OEDIPUS at The Old Vic, co-directed by Matthew Warchus and Hofesh Shechter. With performances starting on 21 January and running until 29 March 2025, the production features Rami Malek in the title role, supported by a remarkable cast that includes Indira Varma as Jocasta. For anyone with a passion for theatre—be it the classics, contemporary stagings, or epic dance sequences—this reimagining of Sophocles’ masterpiece promises to be one of the season’s must-see experiences.

A Classic For The Modern Age

It’s not every day that a 2,500-year-old script resurfaces with such relevance. Yet OEDIPUS has never truly faded from public consciousness. At its core, the story dives headfirst into questions about destiny, free will, and self-discovery. Ancient Athenian audiences were captivated by the tragic tale of a king doomed by prophecy and undone by his own pursuit of truth. Today, audiences remain equally spellbound, not just because of the raw intensity of the story, but because we still wrestle with the notion of whether we can outrun the hand of fate.

This new adaptation by Ella Hickson ventures beyond a straightforward retelling. Contemporary language and staging underscore the universal pull of Oedipus’s predicament. Even if you’re familiar with the play’s unforgettable revelations, the production’s inventive design, music, and choreography breathe new life into the text, making every moment feel urgent and alive.

Rami Malek Steps Into An Iconic Role

Casting Rami Malek as Oedipus has been a bold stroke of genius. Already lauded for his Oscar-winning portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody and his gripping performance in Mr. Robot, Malek is no stranger to roles demanding emotional depth and nuanced intensity. The leap to live theatre in London’s revered Old Vic marks a new chapter in his career, one that will test his range in front of a live audience every night.

Oedipus is arguably one of the most psychologically complex roles in all of classical drama. He is both a heroic leader and a man haunted by forces he can’t quite comprehend until it’s too late. Watching Malek negotiate that delicate balance between determined king and tragic seeker of truth is sure to be a highlight. His performance, enriched by the immediacy of theatre, aligns perfectly with the show’s mission of connecting ancient themes to contemporary life.

The Choreographic Touch

Co-directing alongside Matthew Warchus is Hofesh Shechter, known worldwide for his ground-breaking dance company and powerful, percussive style of choreography. Incorporating dance into a Greek tragedy might seem unconventional at first glance, but it’s a move that draws from the very roots of classical theatre. Ancient Greek plays traditionally employed choruses to move, sing, and comment on the action, providing a collective voice that shaped the dramatic narrative.

In this modern adaptation, Shechter’s choreography and music serve as a living, breathing chorus of sorts. Some of his most accomplished dancers—including Justine Gouache, Charles Heinrich, Kenny Wing Tao Ho, Adam Khazhmuradov, Kim Kohlmann, Oscar Jinghu Li, Yen-Ching Lin, Rachelle Scott, Jian-Hui Wang, and Zee Zunnur—are part of the production. Their presence on stage weaves fluidity, rhythm, and atmosphere through each scene, intensifying the emotional undercurrents that run beneath Oedipus’s quest for answers. Expect striking movement sequences and a pulsating soundtrack that propel the story in an entirely new way.

The Team Behind The Vision

Adapting OEDIPUS for a contemporary stage demands a collaborative effort from all corners of the theatre world. Leading the charge is The Old Vic’s own Artistic Director, Matthew Warchus, who has a track record of innovative revivals and fresh takes on iconic texts. When combined with Shechter’s kinetic energy and choreographic flair, the co-directorship sets the stage for a production that marries drama and dance in a cohesive narrative tapestry.

Behind the scenes, a group of accomplished designers and creative artists elevate every dimension of the show. Rae Smith oversees set and costume design, striking a balance between an otherworldly, mythic feel and a distinctly modern aesthetic. Lighting by Tom Visser and sound by Chris Shutt ensure that the atmosphere is continually shifting between tense darkness and revelatory light, echoing the emotional and psychological transitions Oedipus endures. Voice work by Charlie Hughes-D’Aeth fine-tunes the clarity and resonance of every spoken word, while Jim Carnahan manages the adult casting and Saffeya Shebli handles children’s casting—ensuring the right talent is on hand to bring this age-old drama to life.

There’s also a network of associate roles that speak to the production’s meticulous attention to detail: Lilac Yosiphon as associate director, Kim Kohlmann as associate choreographer, Niall McKeever as associate set designer, Joanna Coe as associate costume designer, and Chris Burr as associate lighting designer. Music collaboration by Frédéric Despierrefurther highlights the importance of synergy between movement and sound, while Zoë Wilson from Propworks ensures that every prop and set piece is historically and narratively aligned.

A Stellar Supporting Cast

No matter how compelling Oedipus’s journey might be, he doesn’t traverse it alone. Indira Varma, known for her roles in Game of Thrones and numerous West End productions, brings her considerable talent to bear as Jocasta, the queen who unwittingly plays a central role in the king’s downfall. Her presence offers a vital foil to Malek’s Oedipus, adding emotional complexity and depth to the unraveling tragedy.

Also featured is Nicholas Khan as Creon, the character often caught in the political crossfire of Thebes’ upheaval. Joseph Mydell steps in as Corinthian, Cecilia Noble as Tiresias—the seer whose cryptic warnings ignite Oedipus’s suspicions—and Nicholas Woodeson as Shepherd, a man holding a crucial secret to the king’s identity. Each actor is poised to embody a piece of the puzzle that leads to the devastating conclusion, reminding us that Greek tragedy relies as much on the ensemble as it does on the central protagonist.

The Legacy of Oedipus

OEDIPUS has long been heralded as the pinnacle of Greek tragedy, partly because of its philosophical implications. Sigmund Freud famously named the Oedipus complex after its central premise, highlighting the psychological resonance of Oedipus’s fate in modern discourse. For centuries, scholars have debated the moral implications: is Oedipus truly responsible for his actions, or is he merely a puppet of destiny?

This production takes on that debate headfirst, aiming to show the play’s continued relevance. Whether you’re drawn in by the powerful storytelling, the classical roots, or the psychological complexities, OEDIPUS poses questions that linger long after the final bow. Is it possible to defy fate? What role does self-discovery play in freeing us from hidden legacies? These are the dilemmas that run through the play like the threads of a tapestry, weaving the personal and the cosmic into one formidable narrative.

The Old Vic’s decision to stage OEDIPUS at this particular moment underscores the enduring power of ancient drama to speak to contemporary audiences. In a world grappling with crises and existential questions, the play’s exploration of truth-seeking and moral responsibility feels particularly resonant. Contemporary stagings of Greek tragedies around the globe, including in places like the Sydney Theatre Company in Australia, suggest that there’s an international appetite for works that tackle universal themes head-on. This OEDIPUS sits comfortably within that ongoing global conversation, even as it carves out a distinct identity through dance, music, and modern design.

Evidence of Greek tragedy’s persistent appeal can be found in ticket sales data for recent high-profile revivals—audiences in London, New York, and across Europe have flocked to see reimagined productions of ANTIGONE, MEDEA, and THE BACCHAE. The cyclical nature of these classics, frequently returning to major stages, demonstrates how timeless their messages can be. Whether set in ancient Thebes or recontextualised for a contemporary metropolis, the tension between human agency and cosmic order never fails to captivate.

A Story That Still Haunts

At the end of the day, OEDIPUS is a tragedy about a man discovering his own identity at the worst possible time. The heartbreak and catharsis that unfold on stage are designed to leave viewers with both a sense of awe at the drama’s scale and a personal reflection on how fate can play out in everyday life. This is the hallmark of Greek tragedy: it begins with a specific myth, but it draws the audience into deeper questions about duty, ethics, and what it means to be human.

In that sense, Sophocles’ OEDIPUS continues to haunt the collective imagination precisely because it hits close to home. We might never face the exact tribulations Oedipus does, but we do confront our own limitations, illusions, and the inescapable truths of our personal histories. That’s why, even after thousands of years, the tragedy remains as potent and compelling as ever.

If you’re seeking a night of theatre that’s both intellectually stimulating and emotionally rousing, OEDIPUS at The Old Vic should be at the top of your list. Featuring Rami Malek in a challenging lead role, Indira Varma as his compelling counterpart, and co-directed by two luminaries—Matthew Warchus and Hofesh Shechter—this show delivers something unique: a modern reimagining that maintains the grandeur and mystery of ancient drama while captivating contemporary audiences.

In a world grappling with endless questions about identity and destiny, there’s no better moment to revisit this classic tale. You might find echoes of your own hopes and fears in Oedipus’s quest for answers, and that, after all, is the true power of theatre: to remind us, time and again, that the ancient stories are still about us. In the darkness of the auditorium, as the chorus dances and the king rages against fate, you’ll feel the weight of timeless tragedy—and perhaps emerge with fresh insights about your own place in the grand tapestry of life.