Antigone

Het Nationale Theater / Nina Spijkers

What price are you willing to pay for your principles? Het Nationale Theater presents a modern version of the Greek tragedy Antigone, in a "rock-solid direction by Nina Spijkers" ★★★★★ Trouw. A confrontational and moving performance about politics, family and resistance.

Run time 90minutes
Genre Theatre
Language Dutch

Please note: the performance uses stroboscopic lighting effects.

Antigone

Antigone's two brothers wage war for the city of Thebes and both perish in battle. As the last man in the family line, their uncle Kreon must now lead the city. To restore political peace, he forbids one of the brothers to be buried. Those who do so will be punished with death. Antigone is determined to give her brother a dignified farewell. She increasingly finds herself alone, leading to a fatal clash with her family and political power.

“We need Antigone's to change the world, but Kreons to keep it running.”

Back to the political arena
After Shakespeare's Coriolanus, Nina Spijkers returns to the political arena: “As politicians are increasingly threatened, who still wants to work for the common good? But also: when is your sense of justice so great that you must fight for power, even if you pay a high price for it? Jean Anouilh wrote his modern adaptation of Antigone in war-occupied France in 1942. One would expect that he would give every space to the rebellious Antigone. But compared to the classic version, Kreon in particular is given much more space to make his case.”

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Struggle between idealism and social interest
French playwright Jean Anouilh (1910-1987) achieved international fame during his career. During the occupation of France in World War II, he wrote Antigone (1942), his best-known play, which was first seen in 1944. It became a huge success after liberation, with many performances throughout Europe and the United States.

Remarkably, as an artist during the war, Anouilh tried to remain aloof from politics. He refused to take sides, neither for the resistance nor for the occupier. This attitude translates into Antigone. The central theme is the confrontation between Antigone and Kreon. A clash between on the one hand the activist fighting for individual values, resisting the system, if it goes against your personal morals. And on the other side the driver who stands for stability and serves the social interest.

Accessibility Resources

A preparation document is available for people who are sensitive to stimuli. Visit www.hnt.nl/antigone-toegankelijk

Reviews

NRC

"All the actors in this production flourish, in a wildly clever balance between comic play and drama."

de Volkskrant

"Floored and moved by Greek tragedy Antigone."

Theaterkrant (Critic's Choice)

"A razor-sharp, intelligent political tragedy."

Credits

text Jean Anouilh
directed by Nina Spijkers
actors Yela de Koning, Mark Rietman, Emma Buysse, Sander Plukaard, Betty Schuurman, Ṣayọ Cadmus and Mike ZantingTranslation Bo Tarenskeen
scenography Studio Dennis Vanderbroeck
costume design Esmée Thomassen
music George Dhauw
lightning design Tim van ‘t Hof
dramaturgy Remco van Rijn
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assistant director Goosje Leeuwenstein
campaign image Anne Claire de Breij