Since I have studied Antigone is great depths in the past, I was expecting to be a bit bored. However, I am familiar with the Sophocles version. I was greatly impressed by the fact that Jean Anouilh's version was very true to the original but used slightly more modern references and things that an audience can relate to. The discussions of money troubles and war crimes seem as relevant today as ever. I believe that this show is still a good choice and a good lesson to be shown after all these years of this classic dramatic piece being performed. The choice to have all important and dramatic elements of the story take place off stage is a critical decision. This all allows the audience member to create these scenes in their imagination. However, this is also a great risk because if the actors are not engaging enough, then the show will become uninteresting. I do think that our cast did a good job.
I thought that a great line that tied up a needed theme was Creon's monologue during his and Antigone's fight. He says "It is easy to say no, but to say yes, is to sweat". This could refer to both Creon and Antigone's struggle. Creon accepted the crown and Antigone chose to fight for what she thought was right.
While I am not usually a big fan of watching greek tragedies, overall I thought that our cast did a good job at keeping the audience engaged and portraying the overall theme. I love the story of Antigone! I would just rather read the script and analyze it myself.
4 comments:
Well Ali, I am glad you were not bored, and great observation on the references. I think that was part of the reason that Zimmer did this play.
Thank You
James L.
I was especially struck by Anouilh's holocaust reference. He was writing with reflections of WWII, so I thought this was an interesting choice of word. And I for one took a strange pleasure in telling people that I was in a "translation of a retelling of a Greek tragedy". Glad you enjoyed it!
Imagination is very important with any play and it is a key ingredient for every audience member to be able to imagine what may not necessarily be there for the eyes to see.
Thats a cluth line if I have ever heard one. I noticed there were many good passages used throughout the entire play which I would love to qoute one day.
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