Oedipus in the times of Covid

Abstract

The tragedies of fifth-century Athens have frequently been used as a mouthpiece for social commentary. It is a genre that many directors and playwrights, particularly during times of uncertainty, societal change or devastation, have returned to time and again for inspiration. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of theatre companies have looked towards the dramas of the ancient Greeks to help their audiences make sense of the worrying and isolating situation they found themselves in. One tragedy in particular seemed most fitting for this collective experience: Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. In this paper, I will explore why this tragedy appealed during the Covid-19 world crisis and how two separate theatre companies - Theater of War Productions, a professional group working in the field of applied drama; and Rickmansworth Players, a small amateur theatre group - used the play to curate cathartic discussions with the communities they engage with.

Keywords

• covid-19, theatre studies, oedipus rex