The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Lesley Manville
Dec 29, 2025
Lesley Manville, an acclaimed English actress known for her roles in notable films and TV, graces the stage with her Broadway debut in Oedipus. She shares the unexpected impact of the ancient play and recounts a touching audience reaction to its shocking revelation. Manville discusses the timeless themes relevant to today, especially amidst an election-night backdrop. She humorously contrasts London and New York audiences and reflects on her early career, offering advice to her younger self and sharing a delightful prank story featuring Judi Dench.
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Audience Surprise At Ancient Twist
- Lesley Manville recounted an audience member who gasped at the final reveal that Oedipus is Jocasta's son.
- The reaction showed the play can still genuinely surprise modern viewers despite its age.
Timelessness Through Modern Political Framing
- The production updates Oedipus to an election-night setting, making the political stakes immediate and relatable.
- Lesley Manville highlighted that themes like abuse and power remain unchanged across 2,500 years.
London Versus New York Audience Habits
- Manville noted New York audiences applaud just for appearing while London audiences expect actors to earn applause with performance.
- She also observed American audiences immediately take curtain-call photos while Londoners are more reserved.