There will be dueling productions of Oedipus in London this season. The Old Vic has announced it will present the world premiere of Ella Hickson's adaptation of the Sophocles classic in January 2025.

Co-starring Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody, No Time To Die) and Olivier winner Indira Varma (Present Laughter, Game of Thrones), the limited engagement will be co-directed by Matthew Warchus and Hofesh Shechter. Additional casting will be announced.

It was also just announced that Robert Icke's version of the tragedy will open at the West End's Wyndham's Theatre in October with Olivier winners Mark Strong (A View From the Bridge, The Long Firm) and Lesley Manville (Ghosts, The Crown) as, respectively, Oedipus and Jocasta.

In the classic tale, the Oracle reveals that if the murderer of old King Laius is found and punished, then all will be well. The people turn to their new King, Sphinx riddle-solver Oedipus, to hunt down the perpetrator and bring salvation. He vows to succeed whatever the cost.

In a statement Old Vic Artistic Director Warchus, said, "Sophocles’ play, arguably the best-plotted tale ever told, is the original detective story. 2,450 years since it was written, we still we find ourselves captivated by the intractable questions at the core of its drama: of the sometimes destructive outcomes in our quest for knowledge; how much we’re in control of our fate, or if we’re mostly living out a pre-written script that we’re completely powerless to change. I’m so excited to be co-directing this extraordinary play, in a dazzling new version by Ella Hickson, alongside the phenomenal choreographer Hofesh Shechter."

Oedipus is an Old Vic production presented in association with the Hofesh Shechter Company.

Visit OldVicTheatre.com.