A centuries-old play sheds light on the pandemic

CAN a 2,450-year-old theatre play help us find comfort and catharsis in this pandemic? Nine Years Theatre certainly thinks so. The acclaimed theatre company is adapting Oedipus Rex, one of the greatest plays ever written, for its first live production in almost a year.

Oedipus tells the ancient story of King Oedipus who is trying to find out who murdered the previous king. According to an oracle, the plague now ravaging his city of Thebes is the direct result of the murderer never been caught. (An older prophesy had also stated the Oedipus would one day kill his father.)

As Oedipus delves further into the investigation, he discovers that the culprit is, in fact, himself: Years ago, he had met and killed a quarrelsome old man in an argument, not knowing that man was the king and his real father. Upon finding out this truth - along with other gruesome discoveries - Oedipus stabs his own eyes and goes into voluntary exile.