Oedipus the King

Summary: One of sixteen co-productions between the BBC and the Open University which supported the work of distance-learning students enrolled on the third-level undergraduate course A307 Drama. The course was repeated annually for five years and so there were several later transmissions in the years after 1977.
Theatre play: Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles [more information]
Play synopsis: This Greek tragedy tells the story of Oedipus, King of Thebes and husband of Jocasta. When the discovery is made that he is the son of the same Jocasta and of the previous king Laius (whom he has unwittingly murdered), Oedipus blinds himself and Jocasta commits suicide.
Production history: Mid-5th century BC.
Date of transmission: Thursday 24 February 1977
Time: 7.05am (50 mins)
Channel: BBC1
Production company: Open University; BBC

Director

Richard Callanan

Playwright

Translator

Composer

Designer

Choreographer

Cast

Origination: Recorded in studio
Later transmissions: 6.40am, Thursday 2 March 1978, BBC2; 4.50am, Thursday 28 February 1980, BBC2; 11.25am, Saturday 21 February 1981, BBC2; 6.40am, Monday 23 February 1981, BBC2.
Notes: The second half of the play only was produced for television. The production was made in Studio A at Alexandra Palace.
Play tags: Greek drama; tragedy
Programme context tags: higher education programming

Title: Oedipus the King (BBC / OU, 1977)
Archive: Open University Archive [more information]
Address
Library Services, Walton Hall
The Open University
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
UK
Telephone
+44 (0) 845 300 6090
Email
university-archive@open.ac.uk
Website
http://www8.open.ac.uk/library/library-resources/the-open-university-archive
Notes: Reference A307/01

Title: Classics on TV: BFI Southbank programme, 7 June 2012 (Blog article)
Author/creator: John Wyver et al. (Author)
Reference: http://screenplaystv.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/classics-on-tv-bfi-southbank-programme-7-june-2012, published 7 June 2012

Title: Greek plays: Oedipus the King (BBC / The Open University, 1977) (Blog article)
Author/creator: Amanda Wrigley (Author)
Reference: http://screenplaystv.wordpress.com/2011/09/02/oedipus-the-king-bbc-ou-1977, published 2 September 2011.

Title: Oedipus the King, 1977 (Script)
Archive: Open University Archive [more information]
Address
Library Services, Walton Hall
The Open University
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
UK
Telephone
+44 (0) 845 300 6090
Email
university-archive@open.ac.uk
Website
http://www8.open.ac.uk/library/library-resources/the-open-university-archive
Reference: A307/01

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