Greek by Steven Berkoff

"There's still a plague around this city darling that will not go away, caused by some say some evil deed that has not purged itself"

Wife

Greek

THE PLAY

"The violence that streamed through the streets, like an all-pervading effluence, the hideous Saturday night fever as the pubs belched out their dreary occupants, the killing and maiming at public sports, plus the casual slaughtering of political opponents in Northern Ireland, bespoke of a society in which an emotional plague had taken root." Steven Berkoff, Author's Note, Plays One, 2000

First performed in 1980, Greek was Berkoff's eighth play. It's a modern version of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, set in Tufnell Park, London of the 1980s. A rags-to riches-story of Eddy (this version's Oedipus) who, driven by the love for his wife, seeks to rid The City of the plague that grips it and the degradation he has inherited.

THE WRITER

 "To me, Britain seemed to have become a gradually decaying island, preyed upon by the wandering hordes who saw no future for themselves in a society which had few ideals or messages to offer them."Steven Berkoff, Author's Note, Plays One, 2000

Steven Berkoff is a British actor, director and playwright. He's known for his Berkovian theatre style that combines physical theatre, expressionism and total theatre to create heightened performances. As a playwright, Berkoff's work is polarizing with his use of foul language, violence and taboo subjects designed to provoke his audience.