Preview: Rex the King, Wardrobe Theatre

From August 1-3 at the Wardrobe Theatre, Somerset’s Wassail Theatre present their witty, uplifting and ludicrously tragic adaptation of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, recast to the colourful world of pub darts contests. Expect blood and sweat, tears and beers, not to mention plenty of songs and silliness.

Rex The King is the story of a Somerset darts champion who ruled the world, but lost it all. “A monumental theme encased in beer and pub camaraderie, encapsulating all human emotions in a musical, magical, hugely entertaining whole,” noted the Fine Times Recorder.

Here’s producer Nick White to tell us more.

Well, Nick, tell us about Wassail Theatre, and what you do.

Wassail is a touring theatre company based in Somerset, and committed to giving audiences in Somerset, North Somerset and B&NES access to excellent theatre and theatre-related activities.

As natives to the county, my co-founder Jesse Briton and I recognised that there was a large gap in provision for theatre for local people, especially when you factor in the amazing work taking place in Bristol, Devon, Dorset and such.

Wassail wants to unite different communities and types of people through stories that inspire them. We strive to do this by making theatre that is interesting and relevant to all sorts of people – and presenting it in interesting venues that make theatre accessible.

Tell us how Rex the King came into being.

Rex the King is the second in a sporting-themed trilogy of plays we’re making. We conceived of it after the opening night of our very first show, The Giants, which was about Yeovil Town FC.

We took The Giants to Huish Park (Yeovil Town’s home stadium) and wanted to keep going on in that vein. We realised that making a show about pub darts would be an excellent way of reaching people who don’t normally go to the theatre. That, coupled with the fact that Somerset is full of rural pubs which would potentially present brilliant, natural, welcoming venues for theatre, inspired us to find the right darts-themed story.

And give us a little insight into the storyline.

We took the basic premise of Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex as our blueprint. If you don’t know it, we will tell you this: Rex Thebes wants to rule the world of darts. He is promised fame and fortune, but that it will come at a cost. Will he take that risk?

What about the play marks it as distinctively Somerset?

It is set in West Coker, near Yeovil, and most of the action takes place in the South West (including Bristol). All of our research for the show took in different pub darts teams across Somerset. But it’s a universal story, set in a village that feels very familiar.

What is it about darts in particular that lent itself to telling a story like this?

The pub environment really lends itself to the storytelling, and the live music really brings it up and out into its own world. Darts is a very simple game but the rewards for success – the sort of success Rex dreams of – are huge. It’s also a game that anyone can play and understand. Whether or not you like the game, the story will draw you in.

What’s the mood and feel of the play?

Funny, light-hearted: Rex the King is a bit of a cartoon. We hope audiences are excited and moved by the emotional journey Rex goes on. We also want them to engage in the legend we’re creating: the myth of the Somerset man who forgot his roots.

Rex the King is at the Wardrobe Theatre from August 1-3. For more information and to book tickets, visit thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/rex-the-king