During the play, “Oedipus,” the chorus signs and dances while providing commentary to help guide the audience through it.
The Lion's Roar/Ian Fischer
Oedipus, king of Thebes, began his famous investigation to lift the curse on his people at the Vonnie Borden Theatre last week in the Frank McGuinness version of Sophocles’ play.
The play ran from Apr. 19 to 22, just three weeks before the end of the semester. Directing the play was Fine and Performing Arts Instructor Chad Winters. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the ancient Greek play originally ran between 430 and 426 BCE. Winters directed a Frank McGuinness version of “A Doll’s House” because of its appeal to a modern audience. This is the reason why he chose the McGuinness version of “Oedipus.”
“I find his translations to be more accessible to a modern audience,” said Winters. “We are telling the classic story of King Oedipus with stylized movement, music and dance.”
According to Winters, the McGuinness version does not differ from the original story as much as it is the translation that differs from others.
“There is nothing different in terms of the plot and what happens, but my version has a line when the priest says ‘women are giving birth to buckets of blood’,” said Winters. “In other versions the women are giving birth to stillborn children. So it’s really just the choice of how the translator chooses the words.”
In the play, Oedipus, played by junior marketing major Justin Davis, must solve the murder of the previous king, Laius, in order to lift a plague and famine on his people. From his investigation, he finds out a man he killed in a road dispute was Laius and also his true father. Laius’ wife, Jocasta, played by freshman elementary education major Payton Core, married Oedipus after Laius died and before this discovery. Without knowing it, Oedipus married and had children with his own mother.
“It’s a classic,” said Winters. “It’s a good story. It’s a creepy, good story, so it’s a lot of fun to do.”
Winters said “Oedipus” is a play he wanted to direct since he was a graduate student.
It was Davis’s first time acting in a classical Greek play with a chorus. In classical Greek works, the chorus sings, dances and provides commentary for the audience during the play.
“The chorus, man, they worked hard,” said Davis. “Harder than any of the other characters. So just remember that when you watch it.”
Davis wanted to share a message for people.
“Never giving up is a never ending process,” said Davis.
Core had insight into what goes into the production of the play.
“It’s incredibly hectic, but it’s so much fun,” said Core “It’s fantastic, because that’s where everyone is. Everyone is all doing the same thing, everyone is all doing the same play, we’re getting ready to go on stage and kick butt.”
Sophomore education major Harley Arrington came to see the play without being required by an instructor.
“It’s so good,” said Arrington. “I used to do theatre in high school and it just makes me miss it. I also thought it was really, really good.”
Oedipus (Justin Davis), King of Thebes, is troubled by his investigation to solve the murder of King Liaus as his wife and Queen, Jocasta (Payton Core), begs him to not pursue it further.
The Lion's Roar/Ian Fischer