Declan Donnellan’s performance of the iconic ancient Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex is set in our time, at the time of the Covid pandemic. Oedipus’ subjects come to the palace, begging him to save the city from the plague. Creon, Oedipus’ brother-in-law, brings a verdict from the oracle at Delphi: the plague will not end until the murderer of Laios, the former king of Thebes who had been killed many years before, is driven from the city. Oedipus launches an investigation to find out the truth about his origin: Oedipus is the son of Laius, whom he murdered without knowing who he is and then married his mother, Jocasta, who bore him four children. After learning the truth, Jocasta kills herself and Oedipus gouges out his eyes.

“Tragedies are not about heroes; they are about us, ordinary people,” says the influential British director. The promenade production of the Craiova theatre invites the audience to take on the role of the citizens of Thebes, witnessing the tragic downfall of King Oedipus as he confronts the truth of his actions and the relentless force of fate. The minimalist staging creates space for intense acting, drawing us closer to this timeless story, which, in the director’s words, “can help us understand what it means to be human”.

Declan Donnellan is a renowned theatre director and an artistic director of Cheek by Jowl –  international theatre company, which Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod founded in 1981. Its landmark productions, performed in more than 50 countries in the 44 years since the company was founded, have influenced the creation of theatre and the experience of audiences the world over. International recognition of Cheek by Jowl’s importance includes multiple Laurence Olivier Awards, Golden Lion of Venice for Lifetime Achievement, the Stanislavski International Prize to Declan Donnellan for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of World Theatre, and Orders of the British Empire for both Artistic Directors.

In Romanian with Bulgarian and English subtitles. 

The performance is presented jointly with the “Ivan Vazov” National Theatre  as part of a double-bill evening dedicated to ancient tragedy, together with “Medea” by Euripides directed again by Declan Donelan, a production of the “Ivan Vazov” National Theatre.

Not suitable under 16 years of age

The performance contains non-sexual nudity

*The seats for the performance are standing and the audience is on the stage itself while the actors play among them.