Olivier-winning stage and screen star Lesley Manville dropped by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert December 15 to talk about starring on Broadway in Oedipus, and the conversation turned to the sometimes shocking audience behavior. Manville can report that even though the Sophocles tragedy is quite literally millenia old, its twist ending is somehow still surprising some audience members.
But she's more shocked by something else: curtain call cell phone videos. "Can something live in our souls?" she pleads of the trend. See Manville talk more about both phenomena in the full interview below.
READ: Mark Strong and Lesley Manville on Why Oedipus Still Haunts Us Millennia Later
This new Oedipus, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, re-sets the ancient Sophocles tragedy around a modern election. The production, a transfer from London's West End, opened at Studio 54 November 13 after beginning previews October 30. See what critics had to say of the production here.
Broadway's new revival of Oedipus, a version the Sophocles tragedy set during a modern election, officially opened at Studio 54 November 13 after beginning previews October 30. And the critics have released their reviews.
Mark Strong (A View From the Bridge, Deep State) is reprising his Olivier-nominated performance in the title role, opposite Manville (The Crown, Phantom Thread) reprising her Olivier-winning work as Jocasta. Also back from the U.K. run are Samuel Brewer as Teiresias, Bhasker Patel as Corin, Jordan Scowen as Eteocles, and James Wilbraham as Polyneices.
They're joined by John Carroll Lynch as Creon, Teagle F. Bougere as Driver, Ani Mesa-Perez as Lichas, Olivia Reis as Antigone, and Anne Reid as Merope. The ensemble features Brian Thomas Abraham, Denise Cormier, Karl Kenzler, and Oliver Rowland-Jones.
Icke’s production, originally presented in Dutch at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam and subsequently at the Edinburgh International Festival, is set on election night. All signs point to a landslide victory, but everything is about to change. The West End bow won two 2025 Olivier Awards, including Best Actress for Manville and Best Revival of a Play.
Icke has re-assembled his London creative team, with the production featuring scenic design by Hildegard Bechtler, costume design by Wojciech Dziedzic, lighting design by Natasha Chivers, sound design by Tom Gibbons, and video design by Tal Yarden. Casting is by Julia Horan and Jim Carnahan. David Lober serves as production stage manager.
Sonia Friedman Productions, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, and Patrick Catullo are producing in association with Roundabout Theatre Company.
Mark Strong and Samuel Brewer in Oedipus
Mark Strong and company of Oedipus
John Carroll Lynch and company of Oedipus
Company of Oedipus
Lesley Manville in Oedipus
Anne Reid and Olivia Reis in Oedipus
Olivia Reis and company of Oedipus
Mark Strong and Lesley Manville in Oedipus
Mark Strong and Lesley Manville in Oedipus
Mark Strong and Lesley Manville in Oedipus
James Wilbraham and Mark Strong in Oedipus
