OEDIPUS Previews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/29/25 at 12:00am

Truth is a mother****er.

After a bevy of 5-star reviews in London and two 2025 Olivier Awards, a revival of Oedipus starts its Broadway campaign at the iconic Studio 54. Adapted and directed by Robert Icke and reimagined as a modern-day political thriller, the Sophocles tragedy stars Mark Strong and Lesley Manville, reprising their West End performances as Oedipus and Jocasta. The cast also features Teagle F. Bougere, Samuel Brewer, John Carroll Lynch, Ani Mesa-Perez, Bhasker Patel, Anne Reid, Olivia Reis, Jordan Scowen, and James Wilbraham. Previews begin tomorrow (October 30), opening night is November 13, and the play runs through February 8.

“Election night. The polls predict a landslide victory. Everything is about to change. Sophocles’ epic tragedy is transformed into an explosive political thriller, reimagining Ancient Greek mythology to bring the secrets of the past bursting into the present.”

Who here is casting their vote?

Updated On: 10/30/25 at 12:00 AM

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/29/25 at 9:25pm

I know it’s a bit iffy to comment on a final dress but since this has already played London and I have nothing but praise to heap on, here are a few comments:

I know it’s very early in the season, but I simply can’t imagine anyone outdoing the work Lesley Manville is doing on that stage. She was absolutely sensational and as far as I’m concerned, I just watched a Tony winning performance.

The volume could be turned up but otherwise I found the entire production fantastic and gripping and that has become rarer and rarer in recent years on Broadway. I’m thrilled to be feeling that excitement we all seek.

To the two girls in the front of the rear mezzanine who tried their damndest to ruin the last thirty minutes for everyone with their obnoxious comments and sounds: a plague on both your houses. How much attention do you need? Get a life and grow up.


Go see this.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/29/25 at 9:45pm

So glad you felt that way. What Manville does is just extraordinary and I can’t imagine any living human being coming to Broadway this season and giving a better performance. 

[Markie27]

Posted: 10/29/25 at 11:48pm

Sorry for another seat location question but is the front row too close for this production?  Is the stage too high or would there be any obstruction?  Thank you in advance!

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/30/25 at 12:10pm

Criterion Ticketing lists a 2-hour running time, without an intermission. 

[NYCMarketeer]

Posted: 10/30/25 at 1:32pm

It's a stunning production - great theater - riveting, thrilling, can't recommend it enough.  I saw there are tix this week through TDF as well. 

[JT2030]

Posted: 10/30/25 at 1:42pm

Cannot wait. Going to try and catch it this weekend.

Also, PSA --- Rush is avail powered by TodayTix - $45.00 day-of, on-sale starts at 9am each day.

[MasterThespian 2]

Posted: 10/30/25 at 1:48pm

Seeing this in early January. Eager to see what Icke has created. In the mezzanine, row JJ. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/30/25 at 9:22pm

Looks like tonight’s first preview gift was a good one: custom-made campaign posters reading “OEDIPUS BROADWAY.”

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 10/30/25 at 10:49pm

How did tonight go?

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/31/25 at 1:45am

OEDIPUS MERCH

[MasterThespian 2]

Posted: 10/31/25 at 3:56pm

A lot of folks on reddit really liked it. 

[forgetmenotnyc]

Posted: 10/31/25 at 4:01pm

I went into this not knowing anything about it & left feeling very fortunate to have had the opportunity witness it. Everyone was terrific with my favs being recognizable Lesley Manville, Anne Reid & John Carroll Lynch. There was a subtle ambient sound fill or else 53rd St. adds its own rolling thunderish exhaust every now & then. Some scenes seem very low volume wise or else I wouldn't be so sensitive to sounds like that. I would recommend getting the listening devices to anyone further back in the house. I was back orch. left. 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 10/31/25 at 4:17pm

How is the language of the play? Like is it easy to understand/digest or would it be worth doing some reading up beforehand (I know the general gist of the play but not any specific events).

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 10/31/25 at 4:21pm

chrishuyen said: "How is the language of the play? Like is it easy to understand/digest or would it be worth doing some reading up beforehand (I know the general gist of the play but not any specific events)."

 

It is a totally modern adaptation. You won't have any issues understanding the text as written but unfortunately I did find the volume to be very low in the final dress.

Updated On: 10/31/25 at 04:21 PM

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 10/31/25 at 7:52pm

What are the chances this could extend?

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 10/31/25 at 7:56pm

BwayinVan said: "What are the chances this could extend?"

Manville opens in Les Liaisons Dangereuses on 21 March at the National Theatre, so any extension wouldn't be for very long I imagine.

 

Updated On: 10/31/25 at 07:56 PM

[blaxx]

Posted: 10/31/25 at 9:36pm

One of the best productions I've witnessed in decades of theater-going. Not to be missed.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 11/1/25 at 2:28am

SteveSanders said: "BwayinVan said: "What are the chances this could extend?"

Manville opens in Les Liaisons Dangereuses on 21 March at the National Theatre, so any extension wouldn't be for very long I imagine.

Yes.  This is a STRICTLY limited engagement.  It's closing 2/6.

Agree.  Don't miss it.  This will have nominations for Leading Actor, Leading Actress, Director and Best Revival of a Play.  Easily.  Some wins are in the future.  There's a reason it won Actress, Director and Best Revival at the Oliviers. 

Skip the distant mezz at 54.  Orchestra on this one.
 

Updated On: 11/1/25 at 02:28 AM

[Ensemble1728379893]

Posted: 11/1/25 at 10:42am

Unfortunately, I have to disagree with the majority.  I have to agree that the sound is awful. I was sitting front mezz and I had trouble hearing what was being said. I had read Icke's adaptation so I was not lost.  Also, there are several scenes that take place on a couch placed on the  right of the stage; thus I would recommend sitting on the left.  Now, many spoilers.....stop reading.

 

 

 

 

I  thought it was okay. I have seen most of Icke's work. I fell in love with his Wild Duck at the Almeida and I have seen his Hamlet, Oresteia twice each. The Doctor was also great.  And I like his Oedipus adaptation (only one issue mentioned below).  I thought his directing here is not great. It is difficult not to think of Van Hove's "Bridge."  The way the staging is set up I was expecting a coup de théâtre of some sort, but it never happened. Also, the classical music in crescendo, the white walls, kind of seemed to anticipate something that never happened. I have read and seen many productions of Oedipus so there is no surprise but I was expecting more. And boy, did I hate the "epilogue." 

I thought Strong and Manville were good, nothing extraordinary. The rest of the cast is fine and I am sure they will improve. I also hated all the crazy movement of setting the table, removing all the dishes, the furniture, even the carpet.... no wonder I kept waiting for some big theatrical "moment" but it never happened. Oh well....

[Broadway61004]

Posted: 11/1/25 at 10:44am

SteveSanders said: "BwayinVan said: "What are the chances this could extend?"

Manville opens in Les Liaisons Dangereuses on 21 March at the National Theatre, so any extension wouldn't be for very long I imagine.

"

Plus, typically theatres need around 4-6 weeks at minimum between one show closing and the next starting performances. Rocky Horror is slated to start 6.5 weeks after the current closing date. So at most, this would have maybe a 2-week extension, but even that's not likely.

 

[Huss417]

Posted: 11/1/25 at 12:42pm

SteveSanders said: "BwayinVan said: "What are the chances this could extend?"

Manville opens in Les Liaisons Dangereuses on 21 March at the National Theatre, so any extension wouldn't be for very long I imagine.

"

I can't make it to London so I am really hoping this production ends up with a transfer to Broadway,

Here is the short trailer for the production at the National.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDi2LJ0GOYw

Updated On: 11/1/25 at 12:42 PM

[sinister teashop]

Posted: 11/1/25 at 10:07pm

Ensemble1728379893 said: "Unfortunately, I have to disagree with the majority. I have to agree that the sound is awful. I was sitting front mezz and I had trouble hearing what was being said. I had read Icke's adaptation so I was not lost. Also, there are several scenes that take place on a couch placed on the right of the stage; thus I would recommend sitting on the left. Now, many spoilers.....stop reading.

I thought it was okay. I have seen most of Icke's work. I fell in love with his Wild Duck at the Almeida and I have seen his Hamlet, Oresteia twice each. The Doctor was also great. And I likehis Oedipus adaptation (only one issue mentioned below). I thought his directing here is not great. It is difficult not to think of Van Hove's "Bridge." The way the staging is set up I was expecting a coup de théâtre of some sort, but it never happened. Also, the classical music in crescendo, the white walls, kind of seemed to anticipatesomething that never happened. I have read and seen many productions of Oedipus so there is no surprise but I was expecting more. And boy, didI hatethe "epilogue."

I thought Strong and Manville were good, nothing extraordinary. The rest of the cast is fine and I am sure they will improve. I also hated all the crazy movement of setting the table, removing all the dishes, the furniture, even the carpet.... no wonder I kept waiting for some big theatrical "moment" but it never happened. Oh well...."

I agree with you Ensemble, I appreciate Icke’s adaptations as well and I loved The Doctor but this is a misfire and a banalization of the original. It’s not awful but there’s way too much Icke and not enough Sophocles.

Updated On: 11/1/25 at 10:07 PM

[TheOtherOne2]

Posted: 11/2/25 at 6:42am

Though I would love to have seen a traditional presentation of Oedipus as Sophocles wrote it, this is a riveting production. Manville in particular is magnificent.

Don’t miss this.

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 11/2/25 at 7:18am

If this is a misfire, sign me up for more of them.