Grade 12 Students View a Fantastic Modern Interpretation of Oedipus Rex
On Tuesday October 6th, Bishop Reding students had the opportunity to attend a dramatic presentation of Oedipus Rex at Ossington Theatre, located in Toronto’s thriving art district. The Classical Theatre’s adaptation of the ancient Greek play was done remarkably well, with powerful acting, an extremely interactive relationship with the audience, and a successful modern interpretation of a highly regarded historical drama. The acting in Oedipus Rex was very convincing, allowing the audience to relate to the emotions in every scene. The actor playing Oedipus especially stood out as a strong actor. He was able to evoke pity from the audience in one scene, and then appeal to their anger in the next. His brother-in-aw Kreon stood out as a dynamic actor as well. The actor portraying Kreon was humble, but when the occasion demanded it, was forceful and compelling. What really made the play feel interactive was the fact that the audience was a representation of the Thebans of ancient Greece. Whenever the Thebans were referenced, the actors would gesture to them, or in some instances, would communicate with them directly. Some Bishop Reding students even got the opportunity to get up close and personal with Oedipus with his eyes bloody from being gouged out! The modern interpretation of this highly regarded historical tragedy was done very well. Firstly, the costumes were phenomenal. The actors were clad in clothing from the 1960’s, and the authenticity of the costumes really brought life to the stage. The video cameras were a surprising addition to Oedipus Rex. The calamity of the situation in Thebes was being documented for future generations to see. Admittedly, at the onset of the presentation, the audience questioned the purpose of the video cameras, which added an element of confusion. However, as the play progressed, the significance of the cameras was realized. All in all, I highly recommend anyone interested in watching a great play check this out!
