In early October, the Drama Company at Barton Peveril College delivered an original performance of Sophocles’ timeless tragedy, Oedipus. Originally penned around 429 BC, the play’s exploration of the devastating consequences of fate and a king’s painful search for the truth, culminating in the ultimate recognition of his own catastrophic guilt, was given a fresh setting by the students.
The production was a culmination of work by a talented company of 16 students across the stage and direction team.
Subject Leader of Drama and Theatre, Emma Clammer, highlighted the creative spark behind the staging: “In our company discussions, the suggestion to stage Oedipus as a 1970s detective drama emerged quickly from the students and inspired the design, staging, and character development from rehearsal number one. Early on, Oedipus, vowing to find King Laius’ killer, little knows he is the perpetrator. This absolute conviction to punish the guilty party infused each scene we staged, making creative blocking choices, subtext, and motivations easy for the creative team to discover.
Student ideas drove scenes of intense interrogation in smoke-filled police stations and fights on the streets of a plagued city. Emma added, “I am incredibly proud of their mature take on the ancient myth and how they made the roles their own, solved problems as they arose, and supported each other across the year to make such a profound piece of theatre.”
Particular praise was directed at Alex Lockhart, who undertook the mammoth task of playing the protagonist, Oedipus. “Not only is the role demanding with the amount of text the actor must learn, but the emotional depth of the role is also hugely challenging,” commented Emma. “Alex played the tortured police detective with an energy and intent that captivated the audience from the start and would be impressive for any performer at any stage of their career and experience.”
This production showcased the talent and dedication of the college’s drama department, offering audience members a truly thought-provoking and engaging theatrical experience. As the second year of the Drama Company Q-Xtra concludes, the new company is already eager and ready in the wings to pick up the incredible challenge laid out by this year’s performers. The Barton Peveril Sixth Form College drama company continues to provide students with valuable opportunities to develop their performance skills and explore challenging theatrical works.