Rami Malek’s Oedipus: A Shocking Performance Outshined by Dazzling Dance!

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Oedipus (Old Vic Theatre, London)

What oracle could have predicted that Freddie Mercury and Oedipus Rex, might cross paths? 

Yet that’s exactly what’s happening now at London’s Old Vic. 

In the upcoming movie, the role of the legendary king from Thebes, known for tragedies involving his father and mother, is portrayed by Rami Malek, who won an Academy Award for his performance as the lead vocalist of Queen in the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody.

Regrettably, despite Indira Varma’s compelling portrayal of his unassuming mother, Rami Malek isn’t the standout aspect in Matthew Warchus’s remarkably primitive production.

Or, more casually:

Indira Varma does a great job as Rami Malek’s mom, but it’s not him that steals the show in Matthew Warchus’s unique, primal staging.

Both versions convey the same meaning and are easy to understand.

The honor is bestowed upon an energetic, twirling ensemble of dancers symbolizing the distressed populace of Thebes.

Under the direction of Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, they presented a hypnotic spectacle of swiftly moving feet and wildly gesturing limbs, accompanied by booming drums that keep you rooted in place and resonate within your chest.

Malek finds himself dealing with turmoil, given his distant and brooding demeanor, always seen adorned in Versace clothing, symbolizing his royal status.

And in his UK stage debut, he is a tortured weirdo familiar from the Bond film Never Say Die. 

The character was accused by the Delphic Oracle in an odd, outdated way, using a broken cassette player. However, his most significant moments occurred when he discovered that he had, in fact, murdered his father and fathered children with his own mother.

Then he squirms in anguish like a jungle celebrity covered in lice.

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2025-02-05 06:19