Antigone – the Space @ Niddry Street

Written by Sophocles, and first performed at the Festival of Dionysus in 414 BC, Antigone is a popular Ancient Greek play and is one of the favourites of the ancient cannon to be performed and studied in schools and universities.  Performed by Crook and Ivy, the show has an all-female cast, and is staged in the round.

The story is set in Thebes, a city in Ancient Greece, and the new King, Creon (Martha Barratt) is imposing new laws, which will affect Antigone (Isabella Williamson) and her sister, Ismene (Ella Searl).  Antigone and Ismene are the only members of her family to survive a battle for the throne of Thebes.  The sister’s two brothers who fought over the throne and were both killed.  Eteocles was granted a normal burial with all funeral rights, but King Creon ruled that Polynices was not to be mourned or buried, which was against all human decency, according to Antigone.  Inflamed by Creon’s cruel decision, Antigone asks Ismene to defy the law with her, but Ismene refuses, and so Antigone plans to honour Polynices alone.

Crook and Ivy’s self-imposed, is to explore the generation theme within the play.  Antigone’s parents Oedipus and Jocasta were a married couple, but Jocasta was also Oedipus’ mother (they were unaware of this when they married).  They had four children (Antigone and her siblings), but until the children were born, Creon was the heir to the throne, which was taken away when the boys were born. 

It is a tangled web with plenty of death, as you would expect from a Greek tragedy.  The play has a modern feel, which works better with this young cast, the costume is combat trousers, vivid coloured tops, headbands, and headscarves, to distinguish the differences between the sexes.  The dramatic nature of the text suits this company, and with Sarah McCormack directing, the ensemble rise to the challenge.  The lead performers are especially impressive as Antigone (Williamson) and Creon (Barratt), but the company as a whole do a marvellous job with this challenging play, and with stripped back staging, the focus is on the script and performances.  If you are here over the next few days, book quickly, as I am sure this popular play will sell out.

This play has very few performances, so if you would like to see it, then book for either the 7^th or the 9^th August 2024.  Go to – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/antigone-1, to book tickets.

Reviewer: Caroline Worswick

Reviewed: 5^th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: