It has been a fantastic year for theatre at London's West End. Some of my personal favourites include The Lehman Trilogy, Farm Hall and Dr. Strangelove. But Oedipus certainly took the crown. Stunning theatre.
I saw this one week ago today. I still shiver a bit as I recall the last scenes. I had a pretty good seat - Grand Circle, on the left hand side and it's far closer to the stage than you might think. For £30 I saw the best show I've seen all year, a powerhouse set of performances and events that will stay in my mind forever. Five stars? Give it the galaxy. Funnily enough, I didn't realise the 'sexy bit' was happening, as they chose the one part of the stage I couldn't see; it was only when the audience started tittering that I leaned forward and saw what was going on. Three days before, I'd seen Tennant's Macbeth from Stall Row C, and that had been my best show of 2024 - until Friday at Wyndham's. I got home that night, still thinking about those last moments, turned on my TV - and there was Mark Strong's face staring out at me, larger than life, in Dune: Prophecy. What a coincidence that was.
@@pixiirespighi I have. I compile a list of Best Value Shows on my website, and Oedipus is only 6th, even though it has the best critics’ rating of any new West End show. That’s because the prices are so high.
I’m on a budget, so bought a £30 matinee ticket. It was in the Grand Circle and as far away from the stage as you can possibly imagine. However I was perfectly happy with my seat and thought it was an extraordinary play.
I definitely want to see the Old Vic version. I suspect it will be a very different interpretation. Judging by the casting, I think they will make more of the age difference- her mature and dominant, him younger and more impetuous. In this production, they are very much equals. They have an all-consuming love, that radiates so much passion I think people will feel it at the back of the upper circle! I was in M23 in the stalls by the way and had a great view thanks to the staggered seating.
I'll be seeing this in December - just a couple of days after I finally see Tennant's Macbeth. Everyone seems to think this is great so I'm really looking forward to it. Are you going to see the Old Vic Oedipus? When I saw the two versions announced I knew I was going to the Old Vic, as Indira Varma is my favourite actress, but did I really want to book this other one, which was bound to be the lesser of the two? In the end I did book both - the Old Vic is in March. But you can tell my bias - for Wyndham's I'm in the Grand Circle (not sure how much of the eroticism will, er, rise to those dizzy heights), for the Old Vic I'm in Row K of the stalls at three times the price. Let's hope they're both great!
Your reviews are always so clear, incisive and knowledgeable. Thank you so much!
Thank you
It has been a fantastic year for theatre at London's West End. Some of my personal favourites include The Lehman Trilogy, Farm Hall and Dr. Strangelove. But Oedipus certainly took the crown. Stunning theatre.
I saw this one week ago today. I still shiver a bit as I recall the last scenes. I had a pretty good seat - Grand Circle, on the left hand side and it's far closer to the stage than you might think. For £30 I saw the best show I've seen all year, a powerhouse set of performances and events that will stay in my mind forever. Five stars? Give it the galaxy.
Funnily enough, I didn't realise the 'sexy bit' was happening, as they chose the one part of the stage I couldn't see; it was only when the audience started tittering that I leaned forward and saw what was going on.
Three days before, I'd seen Tennant's Macbeth from Stall Row C, and that had been my best show of 2024 - until Friday at Wyndham's.
I got home that night, still thinking about those last moments, turned on my TV - and there was Mark Strong's face staring out at me, larger than life, in Dune: Prophecy. What a coincidence that was.
Sounds like you had a fantastic week.
I'm a great theatre lover and would LOVE to see this (Lesley Manville's such a doll) ... but have you seen the price of the tickets!
@@pixiirespighi I have. I compile a list of Best Value Shows on my website, and Oedipus is only 6th, even though it has the best critics’ rating of any new West End show. That’s because the prices are so high.
I’m on a budget, so bought a £30 matinee ticket. It was in the Grand Circle and as far away from the stage as you can possibly imagine. However I was perfectly happy with my seat and thought it was an extraordinary play.
TodayTix - still some for £72-94 left :-)
I would love for this to come to NY!
Thanks for the review - I'm going tonight!
I definitely want to see the Old Vic version. I suspect it will be a very different interpretation. Judging by the casting, I think they will make more of the age difference- her mature and dominant, him younger and more impetuous. In this production, they are very much equals. They have an all-consuming love, that radiates so much passion I think people will feel it at the back of the upper circle! I was in M23 in the stalls by the way and had a great view thanks to the staggered seating.
I'll be seeing this in December - just a couple of days after I finally see Tennant's Macbeth. Everyone seems to think this is great so I'm really looking forward to it. Are you going to see the Old Vic Oedipus? When I saw the two versions announced I knew I was going to the Old Vic, as Indira Varma is my favourite actress, but did I really want to book this other one, which was bound to be the lesser of the two? In the end I did book both - the Old Vic is in March.
But you can tell my bias - for Wyndham's I'm in the Grand Circle (not sure how much of the eroticism will, er, rise to those dizzy heights), for the Old Vic I'm in Row K of the stalls at three times the price. Let's hope they're both great!