Central Coast Hosts New Version of Antigone

Death.  Dissent.  Destruction.  This is Antigone!

Every day we make choices. Often they are minor moral choices: should we buy something made in Australia by a highly paid, well protected worker, or something made in a poor country overseas where we don’t know what conditions the worker endures?   Should we water the lawn in a drought?

But sometimes the choices are much weightier.  At what point is it a moral decision to go to war? Or, if we have to choose between duty to our family and our God, and duty to the State, which shall we choose?  These are the choices Antigone must make.  However, for her there is no pondering the choice:  whatever her uncle King Kreon orders, her duty to family and gods comes first.

We are familiar with the way politicians now use the word “terrorist” to inspire fear, agreement and obedience.  And in this new adaptation by Annie Bilton the parallels between Antigone’s world and our own resonate loud and clear.  “He who is not with us is against us!” thunders Kreon, echoing the words of every tyrannous  leader since. Bilton is directing this Australian premiere for Uniting Productions, Donnison St, Gosford.

“We’ve been fortunate in that the drama and history of the play has really attracted some very high calibre Central Coast actors, and we have them in key roles,” said Bilton. Kelli Ward performs the play’s title role – Antigone. Kelli is no stranger to lead roles, and has performed with Uniting Productions in several productions over the past four years. Paul Russell, King Kreon. Russell has previously played several key roles in productions for Newcastle Theatre Company and Woy Woy Little Theatre. Genevieve Neve, as Antigone’s sister, Ismene, is the conformist female lead contrasting against Antigone’s rebellion.  

Set design is also a first for the Coast. The stage has been extended in a runway style, with the audience to be seated around it. This brings them closer to the action than ever before and the tension will be palpable.

Explore the moral dilemmas within the story, and see how questions regarding loyalty to state versus family never change – even over centuries.

Uniting Productions is excited to present the premiere of Antigone here on the Central Coast.

21^st & 28^th November at 8pm

22^nd & 29^th November at 2pm and 8pm

Tickets are only $15 adults and $10 students.   Call 0417 223 543 to book.

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