![]() ![]() ![]() But don't expect to be entertained because it's just not entertaining. Again, this is an important work for historical reasons, and if that's enough for you, by all means listen to it. Oedipus Rex, (Latin: Oedipus the King) Greek Oidipous Tyrannos, play by Sophocles, performed sometime between 430 and 426 bce, that marks the summit of classical Greek drama’s formal achievement, known for its tight construction, mounting tension, and perfect use of the dramatic devices of recognition and discovery. I'm a huge fan of live theater and strongly recommend most of the LA Theatreworks productions. Look, call me a Philistine if you'd like, I have nothing to prove to you. Again, the actors do a great job, but it's still really boring. The drama comes from Oedipus telling us over and over just how much he's suffering, moaning pitifully (though the modern take would be more ick than woe is me). This story is told through the framing device of Oedipus, several years later, having all this explained to him and then refusing to believe it, insisting on having various people brought to him to confirm that what we all know is true is true. ![]() ![]() You already know the Oedipus story: he kills his father and marries his mother. We expect things like character development and suspense. Drama has evolved somewhat over the last 2500 years. There are plenty of good reasons to want to listen to this play which, like all the LA Theatreworks pieces, is extremely well produced but one of them is not that it's actually an enjoyable listen. OK, it's old, I get that, and it had a lot of influence on later drama. ![]()
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