(Rated 3/5 )
I absolutely
longed to give this production a higher score. I do wonder if I went in with
massively high expectations, which simply could not be satisfied. Why so much
expectation? Well the play itself is a classic – probably one of the most
famous of the Ancient Greek Tragedies – the power and impact of which is
enduring as it addresses issues that remain with us today: Conflicts between
the state and the individual, dictatorships, authority full of perhaps high IQ
but controlling rigidity that will not allow any emotional intelligence through
- leading to battles between legal laws and laws of the heart, law in dispute
with morality, familial love set against a father or uncle’s need to dominate,
male versus female in a society in which the former merits more than the
latter… the head versus the heart. And in this particular production one of my
favourite actors, whom I have longed to see on stage more – and so has he
longed to be ;) – following his many wonderfully powerful screen performances,
Christopher Eccleston. I think I have been spoiled by seeing many superb
productions in recent times so I have become quite demanding! Or perhaps
Ancient Greek Tragedy does not work for me ;).
The plot
surrounds an issue of burial. Brothers Eteocles and Polynices, sons of Oedipus
and his mother/wife Jocasta, have killed each other in battle. The new King
Creon has decreed that Eteocles be respected as a hero, but Polynices condemned
as a traitor. This means that the latter cannot be buried. Antigone, sister to both,
wishes to bury Polynices. If she does so and is discovered her punishment will
be death.
Polly Findlay's production
of the play is set in our contemporary time. The male characters are dressed in
the main in suits – I was hoping for togas – and Antigone - played by Jodie
Whittaker - and sister Ismene – Annabel Scholey – in dresses. The set is a
cold/stark/dark room full of offices in which are a multitude of desks, office
chairs and numerous staff. It swivels round to reveal an outside wall.
Don Taylor’s
play script, adapted from the original by Sophocles, contains numerous orations
from both sides of the argument, which to me felt somehow disconnected. I
wonder, however, if that was how plays were produced at the time – each actor
going to the front of the stage and delivering his part as though in monologue,
and then the next had a turn. I don’t mean that the arguments themselves were
disengaged or did not follow on from each other, but I felt a lack of
connection between the actors. And I honestly can’t put my finger on what
wasn’t working for me. Jodie Whittaker did come from the heart. And Christopher
Eccleston strongly from the power-crazed Creon – he was believable as a harsh,
willful dictator. And I suppose these characters are not supposed to connect so
that would make sense. However, I think what was lacking for me is I didn’t
feel them really challenging each other. I wanted more! It was as though they
were committed to their own sides of the argument, but not to convincing the
other person. More pressure and battering needed J. This was a preview – in fact the very first night of previews – so I
am sure that will develop. Perhaps on a first night actors are a little
careful. I would also say there were a few structural problems in the play
itself – again may come from the original author. Numerous supporting cast whom
we don’t really get to know – I imagine these are the chorus of Ancient Greek
Tragedy. But Creon’s son’s mother is introduced so late in the piece and has
only one scene effectively. I missed seeing her relationship with Creon and
son. There again, how important was a woman in those days? Antigone herself in
fact has a relatively small part considering she is the title role. The main
character is Creon and the story is his process and possible transformation.
And does he transform? I won’t give the game away. In fact the game wasn’t
given away to me either – I was unfortunately in a seat to which Christopher’s
back was turned in a crucial scene towards the end so missed the emotion.
There is so
much potential in this and I am sure it will be realised as they progress
towards the end of the run. I look forward to that J.
