Liverpool Playhouse goes Greek with Oedipussy

Following their highly acclaimed production of A Streetcar Named Desire, The Liverpool Playhouse is teaming up with Spymonkey and Kneehigh to create Oedipussy, a subversion of the quintessential Greek tragedy

Adapted and directed by Kneehigh’s Emma Rice and written by Kneehigh’s Carl Grose and the Spymonkey company, this new show opens next week. 

Hot on the heels of their acclaimed Moby Dick, Spymonkey’s hilarious physical comedy combines with the playful storytelling of Kneehigh’s artistic director Emma Rice (Brief Encounter) and writing partner Carl Grose (The Wild Bride) to create an outrageous no-holds-barred subversion of the quintessential Greek tragedy. The result is described as a tale of forbidden lust, accidental incest, violent murder and the ultimate dysfunctional family: a jealous father, a messed-up son, and one mother of a brilliant comedy.

Taking inspiration from Pasolini, Barbarella, Bond and Kraftwerk’s electropop, Spymonkey turn their unique brand of theatrical invention to this greatest of tragic tales, bringing it to life in typically outrageous fashion with the help of set designer Michael Vale (RSC, National Theatre, ENO), costume designer Lucy Bradridge (Cirque de Soleil), lighting designer Phil Supple (Moby Dick) and featuring original music by Spymonkey’s Toby Park and Neil Filby with additional sound design by Simon Baker.
 
Oedipussy runs at the Liverpool Playhouse from 15 – 17 March.