The Oedipus Project is a contemporary reading of Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex (Oedipus the King) by the American non-profit Theater of War, an organization that focuses on helping communities process socio-political and environmental challenges through stage performances. The Oedipus Project premiered on the video call platform Zoom in May 2020 as a reflection on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the United States and the world. Led by big-name Hollywood actors such as Oscar Isaac and Jeffrey Wright, The Oedipus Project was able to reach over 300,000 people from over 100 countries and is now available for free on YouTube.
Oedipus the King is part of The Oedipus Trilogy where audiences are first introduced to Oedipus, the king of Thebes who must find a solution for a plague ravaging his lands. After consulting an oracle, Oedipus learns that the solution to the plague is to find and punish the murderer of Laius, the former king of Thebes whose place he had taken. Oedipus slowly discovers that he is the murderer he seeks, even though he did not intend to commit regicide. However, his own internal turmoil and the opinions of those closest to him meant that the people of Thebes had to suffer with the plague for longer than they needed to.
Recording of The Oedipus Project by Theater of War. Video courtesy of Theater of War Productions/YouTube.
Despite the fact that Oedipus the King was first performed in 429 BC to Athenian audiences, its story of how corrupt leadership mishandled a plague resounds still today. This is because of the play’s reenactment at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its redistribution when the world sees increased threats against global health due to climate change. Hence, tuning in to The Oedipus Project gives the public the same benefits that they gain from watching horror movies, which is giving them a chance to play out anxiety-inducing scenarios in order to build mental resilience when faced with similar circumstances in real life. This is ultimately why The Oedipus Project by Theater of War is relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Climate Action and Good Health And Well-Being.
The Oedipus Project by Theater of War brings Sophocles’ ancient tragedy, Oedipus the King, into a modern context, using it to explore contemporary crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change's impact on global health. By reinterpreting the play through the lens of leadership failure and its consequences on society, the project invites viewers to reflect on the parallels between past and present struggles. With its global reach and the involvement of renowned actors, the production provides a platform for collective reflection, mental resilience and a deeper understanding of the urgent need for effective climate action and leadership in addressing public health challenges.
Find out more about The Oedipus Project and other initiatives by Theater of War on their website www.theaterofwar.com or Instagram @theaterofwar.