Sophocles' Ancient Greek tragedy Oedipus is currently being staged — through Aug. 3 — outside Norman Foster's spectacular GLA headquarters, in The Scoop, a striking amphitheatre at the base of the building.
The Steam Industry, a lively young company that specializes in reinterpreting classics, gives this ancient play a modern take, presenting it as a thriller taking place today, with City Hall itself playing a pivotal role as a center of power. The play tells of a plague that strikes a Greek city-state. It is up to the King to find out what has enraged the Gods. But what is he to do if he discovers that he is the unwitting source of their anger?
Stephen Beckett, best known as "Coronation Street"'s Dr. Matt Ramsden, leads the cast as King Oedipus. The play, the first in this new theatre space, is directed by Phil Wilmott, with design by Alex Marker and lighting design by Hansjorg Schmidt.