Richard Roxburgh and Heather Mitchell, two of Australia’s most celebrated theatre actors, will perform together at Adelaide Festival for the first time in March 2027. The pair will lead an all-Australian cast in Robert Icke’s acclaimed contemporary adaptation of Oedipus, co-produced with Sydney Theatre Company.
The production marks Roxburgh’s Adelaide Festival debut. Icke’s reimagining of the Greek classic as a contemporary political thriller has already triumphed in London’s West End and on Broadway, winning both Olivier and Tony Awards. Now the global hit premieres in Australia with a new Australian cast.
The setting is election night. The count has begun and triumph looms for Oedipus (Roxburgh), with a landslide imminent. Surrounded by his wife Jocasta (Mitchell) and their children at campaign headquarters, the family appears close, the marriage strong and loving. But this tight-knit unit is about to be rocked to its core.
Samuel Brewer, Maggie Dence and John Gaden have been confirmed as additional cast members.
A return to Adelaide for director Robert Icke
British writer-director Icke last brought work to Adelaide Festival in 2020 with The Doctor. “I’m thrilled that we’re returning to Australia with Oedipus,” he said. “What makes this particularly exciting is that this time, we’ll be creating an Australian version of the production, made with an extraordinary company of actors. I can’t wait to see what audiences there make of Oedipus.”
Adelaide Festival Artistic Director Matthew Lutton OAM said the production stands apart from other contemporary adaptations. “I have seen many contemporary adaptations of Oedipus and Robert Icke’s production is by far the most electric and brilliant. With Richard Roxburgh and Heather Mitchell leading an all-Australian cast, this is going to be an extraordinary national theatrical event.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts Kyam Maher MLC described the production as “another fantastic addition to the Adelaide Festival program and South Australia’s premier arts calendar.”
Performance details and tickets
Oedipus will be performed at the Festival Theatre from 10 to 14 March 2027.
Adelaide Festival will launch its full 2027 program on Tuesday 27 October. The festival runs from 26 February to 14 March 2027.
Tickets go on sale to the general public from 10am ACST on Tuesday 15 September via adelaidefestival.com.au or 1300 393 404.
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