This acclaimed new version of the enduring classic, brought to vivid, brutal life by master director Steven Berkoff and his cast of eleven actors. This powerful retelling of the Oedipus story comes to the Fringe’s largest stage, the Pleasance Grand, direct from sell-out seasons in Liverpool and Nottingham, where it won critical acclaim from the national press.
Steven Berkoff makes a rare stage appearance as Creon. Anita Dobson makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut as Jocasta. Simon Merrells, who was last seen at the Fringe in 2008′s acclaimed staging of On The Waterfront, leads the cast as Oedipus.
Pleasance Courtyard, 60 The Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH8 9TJ Google Map
3 – 29 August (not 9, 10, 17, 24 August) Performances start at 1.20pm (Running time 100 minutes)
Tickets £10 – £17.50 / Book online or call 0131 556 6550 (Pleasance) 0131 226 0000 (Fringe)
Reviews from the Nottingham and Liverpool premiere run:
‘The bravest, most exciting and moving Greek tragedy in years. A homage to an ancient masterpiece, and shows that rewriting it in a harsh, edgy modern language can still make you feel the heat and passion of its power.’ **** Sunday Times
‘Right away, you know that this is going to be an utterly distinctive production. Berkoff captures the sense of entitlement that the powerful exude, the feeling that they can fix anything.’ The Guardian
‘Taking him as visionary director and choreographer I am at Berkoff’s feet: it is a remarkable piece, sometimes achieving the power of ritual. Properly thrilling, and hurls the full pity and terror of the original at us across 25 centuries.’ The Times
‘Beware the Greeks bearing gifts, the old saying has it – on this occasion, you can welcome them with open arms.’ **** Whatsonstage.com
Production Credits
By Steven Berkoff (after Sophocles)
Director: Steven Berkoff
Set Designer: Michael Vale
Lighting Designer: Mike Robertson
Composer: John Chambers
Assistant Director: Matthew Cullum
Production Photography: Helen Warner
General Management: Seabright Productions
Press Representative: Kate Gambrell for Seabright Productions
East Productions in association with Pleasance Theatre Trust and Seabright Productions present the Nottingham Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Production.
