From London to Bucharest, everyone stages Oedipus

London’s West End was taken by surprise this week, with two different premieres of  Oedipus promoted on the same time, at the Old Vic and the Wyndham Theatre.

Within a half-hour window, both the Old Vic and the Wyndham Theatre unveiled their plans to stage Sophocles’ ‘Oedipus Rex’ during their 2024 seasons. Notably, these two theaters have meticulously crafted distinct renditions of the play and assert that their decisions were entirely independent of one another.

The Wyndham Theatre’s premiere of ‘Oedipus’ will be the first to grace London’s stage. Director Robert Icke previously presented his interpretation of this timeless Greek tragedy, depicting the mythological tale of a king who unwittingly kills his father and marries his mother, during a successful run at the International Theatre Amsterdam in 2018, followed by a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe.

In Robert Icke’s adaptation at the Wyndham Theatre, the renowned British actor Mark Strong, distinguished for his chiselled chin, will assume the lead role, while Lesley Manville, known for her role in ‘The Crown,’ will portray his mother. It’s worth noting that the original 2020 casting had the iconic Helen Mirren in the maternal role of Jocasta. The production of ‘Oedipus’ is scheduled for a limited engagement starting on October 4th of this year at the Wyndham Theatre.

The Old Vic’s production, set to run from January to March in 2025, is based on the adaptation of British playwright Ella Hickson and has reportedly been in development since 2019. In the lead roles, the Old Vic has secured the talents of Rami Malek, the American actor renowned for his Oscar-winning portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the 2018 Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ He will be joined by Indira Varma, the Olivier Award-winning British actor celebrated for her role in ‘Game of Thrones.’

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In Romania, the National Opera of Bucharest is currently staging a new version of George Enescu’s masterpiece “Oedipe”, while Bulandra Theater just premiered with “Oedipus” directed by international acclaimed director Andrei Serban.

At the National Opera of Bucharest, the direction, set design, costumes, lighting, and choreography are the work of Stefano Poda, while Tiberiu Soare is conducting the orchestra. Enescu’s “Oedipe” is a lyrical tragedy in four acts, with the libretto written in French by Edmond Fleg. “Oedipe” was composed by Enescu between 1921 and 1931 and is dedicated to his wife, Maria Rosetti-Tescanu. The premiere took place in Paris in 1936.

The cast includes Ionut Pascu (Oedipus), Marius Bolos (Tiresias), Dan Indricau (Creon), Andrei Lazar (The Shepherd), Ion Dimieru (High Priest), Leonard Bernad (Phorbas), Damian Vlad (Guard), Daniel Filipescu (Theseus), Andrei Petre (Laius), Oana Andra (Jocasta), Sorana Negrea (The Sphinx), Daniela Carstea (Antigone), and Andreea Iftimescu (Merope). The next performances are available on February 9 and 10, and tickets can be found here.

In the play directed by Andrei Serban, based on Robert Icke’s adaptation, Oedipus is a power-hungry politician awaiting the election results, which are crucial for his career, his family, and even the fate of the entire nation, as the pivotal vote hangs in the balance. However, as family dramas, media scandals, and hidden truths unravel, the pressure mounts, and emotions intensify. It is a story of love and suspense.

The cast includes Vlad Zamfirescu (Oedipus), Cerasela Iosifescu (Jocasta), Andi Vasluianu (Creon), Manuela Ciucur (Merope), Ana Ioana Macaria (Tiresias), Adrian Ciobanu (Corin), Lucian Ifrim (The Driver), alongside Andra Corlat, Ilinca Neacsu, and Teodora Crisan in the roles of Antigone/Lycas.

“Cabaret” musical also enchants audiences in Bucharest and London

It’s quite interesting the fact that Bucharest’s theaters frequently showcase performances that resonate not only with local audiences but also on the international stage. Another example is Razvan Mazilu’s production “Cabaret”, one of the best musicals from the Romanian scenes, which is staged at Odeon Theatre, is still on the official programme, while London continues to play the famous libretto in Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre.