Review: Oedipus at the Liverpool Playhouse

Mar 3 2011 by Francesca Elliott, Chester Chronicle

SOPHOCLES’S ancient tragedy chronicling King Oedipus’s unwitting murder of his father, marriage to his mother and eventual ripping out of his own eyes and banishment from his kingdom is never going to be a barrel of laughs.

However, it is a story that has engaged audiences for thousands of years, remaining almost as popular today as it was when written in the 5th century BC.

Greek literature is feared by some for being confusing and difficult to follow. But luckily for audiences of Steven Berkoff’s modern retelling at the Liverpool Playhouse it is neither.

The story begins 15 years after Oedipus has killed the Sphinx terrorising the city of Thebes. He has been crowned king and married the widow of the former King Laius, who was murdered just before Oedipus arrived.

A terrible plague is ravaging the city and a messenger is sent to Delphi to ask the gods for help. They say the murderer of Laius must be found before the plague ends.

With the help of an all-male chorus, dressed as early 20th century Greek peasants, the story of Oedipus’s grim history is brought to light.

The sparse set helps to emphasise Steven Berkoff’s modern and colloquial translation, performed in easy listening iambic pentameter.

Simon Merrells is excellent as the arrogant yet tortured Oedipus, who takes the full two- hour running time to grasp the horror of his situation.

There is no interval, which helps keep the rhythm of the story going, and the audience is enthralled all the way through.

Book tickets at www.everymanplayhouse.com.