Oedipus? It's a complex role

by BAZ BAMIGBOYE, Daily Mail

Last updated at 10:23 21 July 2006


Ralph Fiennes is planning to play Oedipus for the National Theatre.

The award-winning actor will star in the Greek tragedy in a production to be directed by Jonathan Kent, his long-time artistic collaborator, for the National's autumn 2008 season.

When I approached them yesterday, the National confirmed to me that a plan is at a very early stage. There's no word yet on who will adapt Sophocles' work about a son who murders his father and sleeps with his mother.

The writer David Stuttard did a version three years ago in Durham, which modelled Oedipus on Tony Blair, but I think the National have it in mind to commission a new adaptation. One idea being explored is to take the play, either before or after its run at the National, on a tour of ancient amphitheatres.

One particular spot the artistic team is keen to visit is the Roman amphitheatre at Bosra, in Syria, although no one can predict what state that part of the world will be in two years from now.

Mr Kent has directed Mr Fiennes in several plays including Hamlet for the Almeida (which also featured Francesca Annis) a few years ago, and I always remember a Shakespeare double bill they did in Shoreditch, again for the Almeida.

The producer Sonia Friedman bought them together again for Faith Healer, presently on Broadway with Cherry Jones and Iain McDiarmid.

Mr Fiennes has other projects in the pipeline,

including another stint as Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and, probably before the National season, he will direct his first feature film.

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