Photographer：© Jan Versweyveld

Reviews

Director Robert Icke has made this Oedipus into a Greek tragedy that gives shape to modern times. A couple of subtle shifts in the plot have made the play about finding the truth, which makes it contemporary without its being fixed in a specific time period. Due to a refreshingly new perspective, you start to see Oedipus in a different way, which gives the play added value. It's beautiful how text and design can change the focus to human scale. The adaptation from the heart of the play makes this Oedipus unique and adds something to all previous productions.

Jury, Dutch Theatre Festival

A superb interpretation of Sophocles’s story that feels modern and timeless.

The Times

Recommendation of the Committee

Robert Icke’s Oedipus is a chilling thriller. Told in real time as the clock counts down over two hours, Sophocles’ ancient Greek hero is transformed into a political giant of today, awaiting the results of a hard-fought election that will bring him to power yet discovering that, in his own eagerness to spurn convention, he has committed the most repugnant of transgressions. Oedipus becomes a deeply human figure, destined to face the tragic repercussions of his unwitting mistakes.

Cast

Performers: Bart Bijnens, Jules Croiset, Hélène Devos, Alexander Elmecky, Aus Greidanus jr., Marieke Heebink, Eva Heijnen, Hans Kesting, Frieda Pittoors, Harm Duco Schut

About Robert Icke

Robert Icke is an award-winning writer and director. He is currently the Ibsen Artist in Residence at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA), supported by the Philip Loubser Foundation. His awards include two Evening Standard "Best Director" Awards, the Critics’ Circle Award, the Kurt Hübner Award for his debut production in Germany, and the Olivier Award for "Best Director," of which he is the youngest ever winner. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

About the Edinburgh International Festival

The Edinburgh International Festival exists to bring the world's leading artists together with audiences. It was the inspired idea of Rudolf Bing, then the General Manager of Glyndebourne Opera; Henry Harvey Wood, the Head of the British Council in Scotland; and leaders from the City of Edinburgh. It was established in 1947 as a world class cultural event to bring together audiences and artists from around the world, and for over 70 years has gone from strength to strength. For three weeks in August, Scotland’s capital becomes an unparalleled celebration of the performing arts and an annual meeting point for people of all nations. The International Festival presents a program featuring the finest performers and ensembles from the worlds of dance, opera, music and theatre.

About Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA)

Amsterdam Stadsschouwburg and Toneelgroep Amsterdam (TA) merged on January 1, 2018, and from the 18/19 season onwards we have operated under the name Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA). It is one of the leading lights of the Dutch theatre, with a large ensemble of world-famous actors and a pioneering team of directors. We are currently working on a new organization that will act as a beacon for contemporary theatre and cater to audiences from Amsterdam and around the world, leading the way at the national and international levels. We produce a high-quality program with 600 pluriform national and international theatre and dance performances every year, and social programs that appeal to a wide range of audiences, bringing them new ways of understanding and seeing the world.