Helen Mirren and Mark Strong to star in Sonia Friedman production of Oedipus

## Mark Strong and Helen Mirren to star in Robert Icke's *Oedipus*! **Helen Mirren** and **Mark Strong** will officially star opposite each other in a new **Robert Icke** adaptation of the Ancient Greek classic tragedy ***Oedipus***, written in the fifth century BCE by the acclaimed classic playwright **Sophocles**. Details of the new play are 'hush-hush' but additional news of the play is bound to be released soon as Icke's current production of *[**The Doctor**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4279/the-doctor-tickets.aspx) *prepares to transfer to the [**West End's Duke of York's Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/30/duke-of-yorks-theatre.aspx) next year. ### What is the *Oedipus* tragedy about? In a nutshell, the plot of [**Sophocles'** ***Oedipus Rex***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4382/oedipus-tickets.aspx)** **follows Oedipus, who has recently been crowned King of the City of Thebes. Unbeknownst to the new Theban monarch, a prophecy has been fulfilled after he unwittingly murdered his father Laius for the throne and later married his mother Jocasta after answering a riddle from the Sphinx. The tragedy centres around Oedipus's search for his father's killer, unaware that the killer is actually him. When he learns of this fact and of his incestuous relationship with his mother, he ends up gouging his eyes out in devastation whilst Jocasta hangs herself to death. The patricidal play is widely considered to be the greatest tragedy from Ancient Greece and was first performed on stage in 429 BCE. The Sophocles play inspired psychoanalyst and neurologist **Sigmund Freud**, who coined the term **Oedipus Complex** to describe a child's unconscious sexual desire for their opposite-sex parent and their hatred for their same-sex parent. The complex has inspired the likes of many visual artists over the years, particularly from the surrealist movement, the likes of which include German painter **Max Ernst**, Spanish painter **Salvador Dali**, and more. ### The *Oedipus* cast for the new Robert Icke production Details are scarce on what roles Mirren and Strong will play in the upcoming production of *Oedipus*. Mirren last appeared in the West End's *The Audience* whilst Strong collaborated with Robert Icke on the National Theatre production of *The Red Barn*. **Helen Mirren** is perhaps best-known for her award-winning roles in *The Queen, Prime Suspect, The Passion of Ayn Rand, Elizabeth I, The Scent of Darkness, *and Losing Chase whilst **Mark Strong** is perhaps best known for his blockbuster film roles in *Kick-Ass, Zero Dark Thirty, *the *Kingsman *film series, *The Imitation Game, Sherlock Holmes, *and *Stardust.* ### About Robert Icke A frequent collaborator with **Sonia Friedman Productions**, writer and director **Robert Icke** is best-known for his modern adaptations of such literary classics as [***Uncle Vanya***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4343/uncle-vanya-tickets.aspx), *Mary Stuart*, *Oresteia*, and *1984*. In 2016, he became the youngest winner of the Olivier Award for Best Director for his production of *Oresteia*, which also took home the Critics Circle Theatre Award and Evening Standard Theatre Award. His production of *1984* two years prior notably took home the 2014 UK Theatre Award for Best Director as well. Robert Icke's current production of [***The Doctor***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/4279/the-doctor-tickets.aspx) starring **Juliet Stevenson** is set to transfer to the [**West End's Duke of York's Theatre**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/30/duke-of-yorks-theatre.aspx) in Spring 2020 after a highly successful run at the Almeida Theatre earlier this year with [**Sonia Friedman**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/tickets/sonia-friedman-productions) as co-producer. His new adaptation of *Oedipus* wouldn't mark the first time he's worked with the piece. He previously adapted the tragedy into the Dutch language in a production that ran at the Edinburgh International Festival last summer. ### *Oedipus* London theatre tickets coming soon! Don't miss out on all the latest *Oedipus* news. Sign up for our mailing list and keep checking pack on [**our news pages**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news) for upcoming *Oedipus* announcements, including the venue announcement, performance dates, ticket on-sale dates, and more!

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