Showing @ Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, until Sat 17 Mar – run ended
Greek tragedies are regularly adapted to appeal to different cultures and new audiences. And to have survived almost 2,500 years, the plight of Antigone to do the right thing and stand by her beliefs must be one which resonates loudly. After collaborating with Swedish company Unga Klara in Medea’s Children at the Fringe last August, Lung Ha’s have continued to work with Greek tragedy, as Maria Oller this time involves the full company in an hour long adaptation of Antigone.
While Antigone (Nicola Tuxworth) is often depicted as a noble and tragic figure, this play is really about Creon’s (Sean Hay) choices and the prophecy given to him by blind Teiresias (John Edgar). As she maintains her decision to give burial rights to her brother, deemed an enemy, Creon sticks to his law-enforcing guns resulting in a number of deaths and his own remorseful tragedy.
Adrian Osmond’s new adaptation is complimented with a live quintet, playing a dramatic score by Kenneth Dempster, which subtly reflects the action as it happens and captures the mood of each character as they progress. Keeping in tune with traditional Greek productions, we have a chorus that use both speech and movement to convey the thoughts of the poor and hungry population of Thebes, as well as driving the plot forward. The story itself makes for dramatic power-play and provokes debate on morality and loyalty: how do we define right or wrong? It is, of course, important to stand up for your beliefs, but to what end? This is a weighty play, but by focussing predominantly on the theme of loyalty – to one’s self, family and community – Oller’s production has simplified the complex, making an accessible and enjoyable piece of theatre.
