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Audible Theatre Collection: Oedipus

By: Sophocles, Ian Johnston - translator
Narrated by: Jamie Glover, Hayley Atwell, Michael Maloney, Samantha Bond, Julian Glover, David Horovitch
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  • Summary

  • The three Theban plays by Sophocles - Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone - are great landmarks of Western theatre. They tell the story of Oedipus, King of Thebes, who was destined to suffer a terrible fate - to kill his father, marry his mother, and beget children of the incestuous union. He does this unknowingly but still has to suffer terrible consequences, which also tragically affect the next generation.

    These three plays were written around 450 BC, with the playwright following the established convention of presenting the story through main characters but using a chorus - sometimes one voice, sometimes more - as an independent commentator that also occasionally participates in the drama. When the audiences of ancient Athens went to the amphitheatres to see the plays, they would have known the basic story of poor Oedipus.

    Nevertheless, the power of Sophocles' retelling made the Theban plays deeply horrifying and affecting - and this is still true now, some 2,500 years later. There is also a strong contemporary resonance for us, for in the 20th century the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud famously adopted the story to illustrate his Oedipus complex, which, he argued, was a condition of the unconscious mind in boys - that they want to sleep with their mothers. It is interesting that through the character of the queen, Jocasta, in Oedipus the King, Sophocles states this unequivocally.

    Oedipus the King is well known. The other two are less so: Oedipus at Colonus, which deals with his last days, and Antigone, which casts the spotlight on his daughter, who, as part of the accursed bloodline, chooses to act in a way she believes is right, whatever the consequences. Yet they are equally powerful and moving.

    This audio production, with Jamie Glover as Oedipus and Hayley Atwell as his daughter, Antigone, is a world premiere audio recording of all three plays.

    With the authoritative but modern translation by Ian Johnston, specially commissioned new music from the English composer Roger Marsh, and a cast of outstanding actors, this Audible Original presentation of Sophocles' Theban plays will be listened to not once but many times.

    As an Audio Show - free for members - when you add Audible Theatre Collection: Oedipus to your library, you'll get three plays, with runtimes that vary from 90 to 120 minutes.

    ©2016 Audible, Ltd. (P)2016 Audible, Ltd.
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Episodes
  • Antigone

    Antigone
    May 9 2018
    Antigone and Ismene, the daughters of Oedipus, discuss the disaster that has just befallen them. Their brothers Polynices and Eteocles have killed one another in a battle for control over Thebes. Creon who now rules the city, refuses Polynices proper burial rites. Family loyalties, bloody warfare and an edict that one sister cannot honour. The third part of Sophocles masterpiece comes to its dramatic conclusion, in a stunning new production.
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    1 hr and 27 mins
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  • Oedipus the King

    Oedipus the King
    May 9 2018
    A plague has stricken Thebes. The citizens gather outside the palace of their king, Oedipus, asking him to take action. He replies that he has already sent his brother-in-law, Creon, to the oracle at Delphi for divine guidance. One of the greatest works of classical theatre is dramatically brought to life, in this tragic tale of prophecy, plague, murder, mystery and revenge. Audible presents one of the ancient world's greatest imaginations, in this dramatic, exclusive new recording.
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    1 hr and 39 mins
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  • Oedipus at Colonus

    Oedipus at Colonus
    May 9 2018
    After years of wandering in exile from Thebes, Oedipus arrives in a grove outside Athens. Blind and frail, he walks with the help of his daughter, Antigone. Father and daughter come to rest on the hallowed ground of the Eumenides, the Goddesses of Fate. It is the very ground that Oedipus was prophecised to die upon. An ancient tale of Gods, fate and prophecy, exclusively brought to you by Audible in a sensational new recording starring Hayley Atwell.
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    1 hr and 58 mins
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Critic reviews

"This outstanding full cast, and Roger Marsh's original music, serves Ian Johnston's vigorous verse translation of Sophocles very well. None of the actors can be singled out; they're all marvelous at combining the original declamatory tradition with modern ideas about portraying character and emotion. The result is a moving dramatic experience that is enhanced by, but does not require, a background in the classics. This is a first-rate example not only of why the classics endure, but also of what can be done with the medium of audio." (AudioFile magazine)
"The casting is first rate, as are Ian Johnston's strong, simple lines and the startlingly effective music." (The Times)

What listeners say about Audible Theatre Collection: Oedipus

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Profile Image for Richard B.

Excellent performance and translation

Ian Johnson’s translation is both accessible and poetic, and the actors were very good. Hayley Atwell playing Antigone was especially superb.

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Profile Image for Dimitra

Absolutely riveting

Sophocles would have approved
note: the english text recited is Ian Johnston's translation of the greek play

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Profile Image for Adam

Outstanding and captivating

Jamie Glover is spectacular. Every time he spoke I was on the edge of my seat. This story was wonderfully acted by all and was an interesting sequel.

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Profile Image for Jonny

Outstanding Performance

Great fun to listen to these voice actors put these stories together. Very well done

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Profile Image for Antifragilista

Greek food for thought

Outstanding work and performance, obviously from lovers of the work. A must for anyone who admires the richness of Greek tragedy

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Profile Image for Dawn Vlcek

Loved listening to this entire series!

This series was amazing to listen to! performances were great and I couldn't wait to keep listening!

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Profile Image for Koley Porter

The next best thing to seeing the plays performed!

Sophocles wrote plays, not novels. They were meant to be performed. This presentation is great, and should be mandatory in high schools and colleges!

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Stellar Performances of Three Classics

I really enjoyed listening to the Oedipus Trilogy. The actors truly captured the essences of the characters.

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Profile Image for Virago

Ok

This audio theatre encompasses Antigone, Oedipus King, Oedipus at Colonus. I read these in high school and know the stories, but thought I might appreciate them more as an adult. I did not. These dramatizations were all right, but I just didn't love them.

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