Antigone

WAAPA’s Final Year Acting Students, with WAAPA Production and Design Students, presented this classic play, in a vibrant and innovative production, adapted, directed and designed by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod, artistic directors of UK Theatre Company Cheek by Jowl. Playing at the State Theatre Centre, opposite WAAPA’s home from 2026, this production was a standing production, with the audience standing and moving around a central structure, and actors moving throughout the space. The audience become the Theban citizens, and actors speak to them directly.

The chorus, active throughout the show, open with a striking Grecian inspired movement piece directed by Movement Director Sam Chester. The chorus, played by Olivia Staniforth, Conan O’Connell, Victorie Hemedi. Pierse Cant, Jin Too, Grace Ghana and Tierney Clark (plus some of the principal players at times) had strong commitment and excellent timing.

Wonderful in the title role, Monique Mitchell, was a strong yet vulnerable woman, willing to risk the ultimate punishment for burying her brother according to custom. She anchored the show beautifully, speaking with passion and power. Her sister Ismene, initially more reticent, develops noticeably during the show due to a strong performance from Rosalili Ford. Hank Harris, handsome and eventually heroic as Haemon - was sympathetic and lovely, caught between loyalty to his father and fiancé.

Newly crowned Creon, the complex villain of the piece, was played with political flair by Ryan Tierney, in a layered and intelligent performance. His wife Eurydice was played with elegance by Denli Chavez, making an impact in limited stage time.

Aimee Honour was an earnest messenger. Jay Kay Davies, bearer of bad news, had wonderful comic flair during his “don’t shoot the messenger” scene, while Pippin Carroll brought gravitas to the role of the elderly and blind Teiresias.

Strong lighting choices from Jay Covich and organic sound design Romick Ediriweera help the immersive feel of this production.

It would be hard to get closer to the action than this show, where audience members needed to literally step aside for actors. A testament to the strength of these performers, Antigone was a moving and touching production.

Kimberley Shaw

Photographer: Stephen Heath