Antigone review: a version by Don Taylor
21 July at The National Theatre
Starring Christopher Eccleston as Creon
It can't be said that Greek tragedy is everyones cup of tea. Some prefer their human drama to be a little more subtle, less ethical and moralistic. For those who enjoy the full spectacle of the human condition and the ability to be judged then Antigone, written by Sophocles in around 440 BC (est) is the play for you. This version of the play by Don Taylor is even less subtle in its message, yet can (if you so wished) read many alternative ideas about loyalty, betrayal, honour, totalitarianism and democratic ideals.
The beauty of Sophocles most famous tragedy is not so much the story, like all tragedies it can be condensed into a very few words. Sister wishes to honour her dead brother after his traitorous death, against the express wish of her future Father in law and new King, Creon. She rebels against this, as well as societies attitudes in general and carries out a funeral and is convicted to die, despite (and in some ways because of) her family connections.
Modern dress productions of older plays, I feel, often run the risk of losing the plot as the audience identifies too much with one or other characters, be they positive or negative. In this case, much has been made of Creon as a type of Tony Blair figure, his ignorance of society's attitude towards his power as well as his decisions are, his undoing. In the 1940's Jean Anouilh perceived Creon as a Hitler type figure, Antigone as a pseudo freedom fighter of the French resistance. However you see the play, whatever you read into it, Sophocles basic premise of respect for life (even after death) is one which is worth remembering.
Antigone by Frederic Leighton, 1882
c Wikipedia 2012
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