Jacqui Carroll’s Oedipus production is a Physical Oratorio set on a simple three tier stage with minimal movement and simple classical drapery costumes. The text is a combination of Sophocles some Latin taken from Stravinsky's Oratorio, Oedipus Rex. The modern East European orchestral score, echoes the classical past, whilst adding intense emotional power and psychological penetration.
Oedipus, with passion and energy, battles against the forces of destiny. Those eternal, implacable forces, according to the ancient Greeks, govern everyone’s lives. In this drama of revelation upon revelation Oedipus and Jocasta gradually realise the tragic impact of their unwitting actions. The rest of the cast act as narrators, seers, witnesses, judges and juries in this theatrical lamentation.
‘…as those familiar with previous OzFrank productions can attest, Carroll and her company specialise in creating intelligent and lavish visual spectacles that stun, soar and absorb attention….’
‘………..it’s rare in Australian theatre to find a theatre company whose rigour and discipline provides such exciting and beautiful theatrical rewards.’
Text adaption/direction: Jacqui Carroll
Set & props: John Nobbs
Costumes: Glen Brown
Oedipus: John Nobbs
Jocasta: Emma Pursey
Narrators: Ramsay Hatfield, Neridah Waters
Tiresias: Lisa O’Neill
Tiresias’ attendant: Thierry Cartoux
Shepherd: Ira Seidenstein
Chorus: Caroline Dunphy, Michael Coughlan, Julie Marich, Annette Shoenberger, Tracey Kay, Chad Beckett