The National Theatre | Antigone

What weighs more heavily, the social interest or that of the individual? The National Theatre presents a modern version of the Greek tragedy Antigone, directed by Nina Spijkers. A grand performance about family, politics, stability and rebellion, full of live music.

The story

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. But Antigone is determined to give her brother a dignified farewell. She seeks support for her act, but finds herself increasingly alone. On the night before her wedding to Kreon's son, a fatal clash with her family and political power occurs.

'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."