Antigone

4⭐⭐⭐⭐

Written by Lulu Raczka

(after Sophocles)

Directed by Finn Den Hertog

 Before I start to write about Antigone I must make a startling confession. This is the first time I have seen it, considering it was written in 440 BCE it’s been a glaring omission on my part.

I’m glad for my first time I am seeing a fabulously stripped back version with only Antigone and her younger sister Ismene on stage. 

The sisters played by Eilidh Loan as Antigone and Holly Howden Gilchrist as Ismene are in a large living room, with white corner settee and a luscious sheep skin style carpet. 

The girls have an empty and are indulging in a girly night with Antigone boasting about her sex life to the younger girl who is lapping up the stories, clearly in awe of her older sister. 

Like most late night drinking sessions the karaoke machine is pulled out and they eventually venture in to a pub, even though they are underage. 

The barman and older men are not happy to see the two princesses, there is a civil war in the region started by one of their brothers who wanted to overthrow the King Creon, their Uncle, the other brother was lauded as a hero as he was fighting for the kingdom. 

The girls are aware of the good brother and bad brother but Antigone loves them both. 

Eilidh and Holly are exceptionally well cast as sisters they both bounce off each other beautifully, and bear a striking resemblance. It takes little imagination to believe their relationship. During the dance sequence and fight, choreographed by Vicki Manderson, they look at each other with the love and venom that only real sisters do. 

The worst happens and both brothers are killed while fighting. Eteocles the good brother is carried back on the shoulders of the returning army to a heroes grave. 

Polynices was left by Creon outside the city gates to rot unburied, with strict instructions that he was to be left there on pain of death. 

Antigone horrified by the way her Uncle is treating her brother goes against him and ultimately signs her own death warrant. She sneaks out late at night and secretly buries him. 

The one room set designed by Milla Clarke is used to perfection as the actors play their own parts and give voice to some of the other characters such as the barman, jail guard and their Aunt. 

Finn den Hertog never let’s the action stagnate using the settee for the girls to climb over. For a very wordy play they rarely stand still, making the few times they do more noticeably poignant. 

Lulu Raczka has taken the heart of the story as the Princess Sisters, navigating life, and love for their brothers over their Uncles demands. Although Antigone martyrs herself it’s Ismene that is left having to carry on, on her own.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first Antigone being the stripped down version giving the main story and plot points. 

It was lovely to be in the audience at the Tron which was filled with young students. Part of what looked like a couple of college groups, learning either the classics or stage-craft. 

Running at 1hr40mins with no break. I personally would have enjoyed an interval, as the play is very wordy it would have given me some moments to mull over what has happened and reset me for more listening. 

I would say this is well worth seeing if you know the play and want a clever new look at it. Or like me it is your first entry level Antigone. 

See it before it ends on 10th October.