Oedipus the King

Summary: The BBC production of The Theban Plays consisted of three separate theatre plays, each transmitted on different evenings: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone. These productions were preceded by a documentary, Speaking to the City: Sophocles Then and Now, transmitted on 14 September 1986.
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: Tuesday 16 September 1986
Time: 8.30pm (130 mins)
Channel: BBC2
Production company: BBC

Director

Don Taylor (1936-2003)

Producer

Louis Marks

Playwright

Sophocles

Translator

Don Taylor (1936-2003)

Composer

Derek Bourgeois

Conductor

Derek Bourgeois

Advisor

Geoffrey Lewis (on classical matters)

Cast

Title: Oedipus the King (BBC, 1986)
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Title: Oedipus the King (BBC, 1986)
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Title: Greek plays: Oedipus the King, part 1 of The Theban Plays (BBC, 1986) (Blog article)
Author/creator: Amanda Wrigley (Author)
Reference: http://screenplaystv.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/oedipus-the-king-bbc-1986, published 9 March 2012

Title: Radio Times, 13 September 1986 (Magazine)
Linking notes: listing; and illustrated article titled ‘Cassics for Pleasure’ on pp. 82-85

Title: TV Review: Oedipus the King (Review)
Author/creator: Miles Beller (Reviewer)
Reference: The Hollywood Reporter, 16 September 1988, pp. 9 and 54
Notes: Reviewing the 18 September 1988 transmission on the American PBS network.

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British Universities Film & Video Council