KING OEDIPUS by Sophocles. Nuffield Theatre, Southampton.

Southampton

KING OEDIPUS
by Sophocles, translated Kenneth McLeish

Nuffield Theatre, Southampton To 3 November 2001
Runs 1hr 30min No interval

TICKETS 023 8067 1771
Review Timothy Ramsden 18 October

Superb in its clarity, this Nuffield production is at once intellectually precise and emotionally thrilling.From time to time – it doesn't happen often, so be thankful when it does – there's a production which is so complete in its own terms and which is so honest a response to a script that it strikes the imagination like a benign sledgehammer. It's not a question of whether each element is the best that could be conceived. There may, considered separately, be a greater actor, finer designer etc. But just as you wouldn't change a partner for the most gorgeous person in the world, you know nothing different is wanted here. What matters is that in this auditorium, tonight something unique occurs, that is entirely coherent. It's when theatre is literally, wonderfully, stunning.

And, yes, that's how it was for me with Patrick Sandford's Oedipus. At once epic and intimate, it's played out on Ti Green's set, an open performance area edging in the distance to huge pillars of granite and gleaming metal, backed by the snow-covered Mount Cithaeron. Over it continually lurks a cold moon . Men may think they're deciding matters down near the audience, but always behind we're aware of the overwhelming reality of the uncontrollable, unmeasurable forces, which the Greeks knew as the gods.

Oscar Pearce may start slightly stiff in voice as Oedipus, but he mounts the vocal climaxes superbly. His open-necked Richard Branson of the ancient ruling class is contrasted with Damian Myerscough's dark-suited Creon, a Clive James devoid of humorous intent. Jessica Turner's Jocasta moves from elegance to horror convincingly and the various news-bringers are well contrasted.

Framing the action constantly is the watching Chorus, spattered with images of injury befitting plague-ridden Thebes. A few agonised cries apart, these figures watch in horror and reserve any sympathy. It's left to Zena Walker's Servant to colour this cold palette with human warmth, which she does in finely modulated phrases.

Oedipus: Oscar Pearce
Servant: Zena Walker
Priest/Chorus: George Savvides
Kreon: Damian Myerscough
Teiresias: David Henry
Jokasta: Jessica Turner
Corinthian/Chorus: David Alcock
Chorus: Helen Linstead
Shepherd: david Henry
Ismene: Hannah Rood/Mina Warwick
Antigone: Samantha Rouse/ Leanne Watters
Schoolchildren: Eloise Ponting, Natalie Jiojioras, Charlotte Oldham, Hayden Lloyd, Chloe Lloyd/ Hannah Barsby, Jasmine Welch, Lydia Bentley, Paul Cataffo, Stephanie welch

Citizens of Thebes: Molly Deacon, Helen Harder, Carmel Herrigan, Grace Jukes, Helen Kaklamanaki, Kate Kavanagh, Angela Randall, Jill Richards, Renate Samson, Marion Shepperd, Amy Tilt, Tessa Warburg, Andy Francis, Bruce Hunt, Michael Kavanagh, Luke Richards, John Richards, Mark Shepperd, Simon Skellon, Colin Warburg, Emily Webb.

2001-10-23 01:13:12