‘Oedipus the King’ takes on controversial themes

Patricide and incest were weighty themes back in ancient Greece. The Nicholls Players at Nicholls State University have decided they will explore those twin taboos when they revive Sophocles’ controversial work “Oedipus the King,” often called the greatest of the ancient Greek tragedies.

The play will run Thursday, Oct. 25, to Saturday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 28, at 3 p.m., in Talbot Hall on the Nicholls State campus. Admission is $10 for the general public, and $5 for students.

The themes are just as controversial as ever, of course. If Ed Sullivan was discombobulated by the lyrics to “Light My Fire,” he should have gotten a load of Jim Morrison crooning the words to the Oedipal “The End.” (Morrison acted in a student production of Oedipus the King while a student at Florida State University.)

“The play has lasted for thousands of years,” said director Stanley Coleman. “It’s still very pertinent for today.”

While Oedipus killing his father and marrying his mother grabs the headlines, the play really has to do with the concept of fate.

“A lot of our lives we don’t have control over,” Coleman said. “We have to live with the consequences of our decisions. The play points that out.”

The drama begins after Oedipus has already killed the man who is – unknown to Oedipus – his biological father, King Laius, in a petty dispute. A chorus of Thebes’ citizens wails to Oedipus – the new king – about the troubles brought on the city because of Laius’ killing.

Oedipus had married the widowed queen, Jocasta. She hangs herself after learning she married her son. Oedipus blinds himself with brooches from Jocasta’s dress when he finds out Laius and Jocasta were actually his parents.

That is a brief recap of one of the best-known plots in theatre history.

“Oedipus has lived his whole life moving in the other direction from what he’s fated,” Coleman said. “He’s blind to what comes his way. He does not look inside himself to see who he is.”

The director is casting two men in the role of Oedipus, Jon Mohan and Kirk Savoie.

“We had two really fine young men read for the part,” Coleman said. “We decided to give them both the opportunity.”

Jocasta is Emily Melancon, Laura Templet is the seer Tyresius, and Joey Pierce is Creon, Jocasta’s brother.

Coleman said the chorus, which is integral to the work, will not wear masks, but will have elaborate facial painting instead, allowing the actors to reveal their expressions.

Angela Hammerli, a dance instructor at Nicholls State, created stylized movements for the chorus.

The traditional Greek costumes were designed by Nicholls State mass communications instructor Bernadette Dugas.

Some classes at Nicholls State have tied their course themes into the play. Culinary Arts has been cooking Greek food, and chemistry students have been studying alchemy.

The wording of the play was modernized by Nicholls State English Dept. instructor Dr. Myron Tuman.

For more information, call (985) 493-3825 or (985) 448-4071.

The Nicholls State University Players tackle patricide and incest in “Oedipus the King.” While the play’s wording has been updated by NSU English Dept. instructor Dr. Myron Tuman, the controversial themes have not been altered. The show runs Oct. 25-28 at Talbot Hall.