Oedipus Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
★★★☆☆ Uncompromising
Bedlam Theatre (Venue 49): Tue 13 – Sun 18 Aug 2024
Review by Allan Wilson
Edinburgh University Theatre Company’s Oedipus Doesn’t Live Here Anymore is a challengingly complex update to the Greek myth of Oedipus, who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother.
Written by Australian author, Daniel Evans, in 2015 it transports the characters of Sophocles’ original tragedy from Thebes to an unidentified suburban community in contemporary Australia without modernising any of the names. It is uncompromisingly brutal, frequently funny, but also confusing at times.
El Mair, Maddy Hatch, Andrew More and Mabel Carter. Pic EUTC
The play begins with the word, ‘MUTHAFUCKA’ sprayed on garage doors (sheets hanging on mobile coat stands) at the back of the stage. The cast of four (El Mair, Mabel Carter, Madeline Hatch and Andrew More) assemble as a chorus of unidentified local residents, sometimes circling the stage, sometimes standing still as they take turns to speak individual lines describing events in this cursed ‘house of monsters’.
The curse is said to have begin with a Never Have I Ever drinking game involving the young King Laius (Mair) and a boy Prince Chrysippus (More), which ends with “never have I ever kissed a boy” and the subsequent brutal rape and murder of Chrysippus by Laius.
Neapolitan ice cream
Somewhat incredibly, Laius swallows Chrysippus whole – and then goes out for a Neapolitan ice cream. As a punishment, the Gods decree that Laius will be killed by his son, who will subsequently marry his mother. Given the contemporary Australian setting, one wonders where the police and judicial system are, but but no need to spoil good story…
Following the plot of the original Oedipus myth, Jocasta, the wife of Laius (played by Carter) gives birth to a son, Oedipus, who she tries to kill. Unknown to Jocasta, Oedipus (played in adult life by Mair) survives, is brought up by adoptive parents and grows up to kill Laius in a drunken hit and run car crash. He then goes on to marry Jocasta.
El Mair. Pic EUTC
There are further violent deaths within the family, including a disturbing, but humorous, mass murder in which two characters go round randomly shooting people by pointing at them and shouting, “Bang!”, at which the victims fall down.
Some incidents are seen through the eyes of third parties. The violent argument between Oedipus and Jocasta when they realise the truth about their relationship is described by their next-door neighbours listening to their rage and hearing the sounds of breaking glass.
Who’s the Daddy?
Others are reported through social media or by news reporters, throwing around jokey ideas for headlines to cover the story: “Who’s the Daddy?”, “A Real Eyesore”, “Sex with Mum was Blinding”.
It is difficult to give a detailed appraisal of the cast as they were all playing multiple roles, with little time to consider the individual performances, but the early rape scene with Mair as Laius and More as Chrysippus is particularly chilling, while Carter is a credible Jocasta and Hatch brings energy to all of her parts.
Maddy Hatch and Andrew More. Pic EUTC
The creative team (Director, Lauryn McGuire; Stage Manager, Meri Suoneniahti; Producer / Marketing / Design, Beau Wolton; Fiona Connor & Ellie Smith, Co-tech Managers) all play their parts in what is a very slick production.
energy and intelligence
There is a lot to enjoy in the production, particularly with regard to its energy and intelligence, but there are times when it becomes confusing and hard to follow.
Possibly the most useful element brought to the stage is a simple flip-chart listing the scene number and the main characters – “1. Laius” – or a brief description – “8. The Neighbours” – without which it would be even more difficult to follow the action.
The play usually has a 90 minute run time, but this is squashed into a 60 minute EdFringe slot – and feels more than a little rushed. Nevertheless, it is certainly a valiant effort by the company.
Running time: One hour (no interval)
Bedlam Theatre , 11b Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ (Venue 49).
Tuesday 13 – Sunday 18 August 2024
Daily: 4.55pm
Details and tickets at: Book here
Instagram: @oedipusdoesntlivehereanymore
TikTok: @odlhafringe
Mabel Carter and El Mair. Pic EUTC
ENDS
