‘Antigone’ adaptation apropos for all audiences
This is one thing even the three bears could agree on.
In a world filled with different races, ethnicities and philosophies, it’s not often that anything can live up to being “universal.” But, according to director Kevin Doyle, universal is exactly what “Antigone” is.
“It’s a story that’s timeless,” Doyle said. “It has a universal message which still applies because [the characters] were dealing with human issues, rather than historical ones. I think Sophocles would be very pleased to see this play done as much as it is.”
Written by Sophocles near 500 B.C., Antigone begins after a horrific battle that has left Polyneices and Eteocles, two brothers leading opposite sides in Thebes’ civil war, dead.
Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, has declared that Eteocles will be honored and the rebel, Polyneices, will be disgraced. To the ancient Greeks, that meant his body would not be sanctified by holy rites nor buried. But, in defiance of Creon’s edict, Antigone wants to bury Polyneices’ body.
Thus the conflict begins.
“As far as Creon goes, he has the responsibility of trying to take care of a population through government, rule and law, and seeing that as the way things have to be done,” Doyle said.
“I actually do think in a lot of ways Creon is right,” said Lanny Langston, the actor who plays Creon. “The play is written in such a way that all his arguments are very strong and he makes very good points.”
Doyle said, “But what Antigone is saying is that there are some things that are a bit above the law and some laws that don’t necessarily translate well to moral issues. She wants to bury her brother and he won’t allow her to because he needs that brother’s death to be significant and send a message to his people.”
Jessica Dilley, the actress playing Antigone, said, “Antigone struggles a lot because she does feel the obligation that Creon has, but she’s held by something higher than that.”
Ismene, Antigone’s sister, mediates between the differing views.
“I think Ismene is actually the reasonable side of Antigone,” Thoreson, who plays Ismene, said. “The side that says, ‘don’t do it,’ agreeing with Creon, and yet she still feels the passion of Antigone. Ismene, then, is the character that brings the full circle of Antigone.”
For this particular production, Doyle decided to use a modern adaptation written by Jean Anouilh in 1944 during the occupation of France.
“Anouilh wrote the play in such a way that the French could see their presence in Antigone,” Doyle said. “She represented them, and Creon represented the Germans. The Germans thought Creon was great and let the play pass through the censors. All the Germans were cheering the play when really, the French were getting it.”
Doyle had many reasons for his decision to use this modern version.
“A modern audience might be able to relate more to a play where the language has been changed just enough so that it doesn’t sound out of time,” he said. “It’s more conversational when they get into their arguments and debates and philosophical differences rather than heightened language that may come across as statements rather than real thoughts from a thinking individual.”
Attempting to add to the universal message and timelessness of the production, Doyle has opted to take a minimalist approach to set designs and costumes.
“My decision was not to lessen the impacts of the arguments with a lot of visuals that might confuse an audience,” Doyle said.
And, Langston says the play applies to USU students.
“In Utah especially, this play comes across as the power of institutions over people,” Langston said. “Whether it be religion or school or whatever, it seems like there’s always some group trying to get someone to do something.”
Doyle said, “This play is about getting students thinking for themselves and deciding, rather than letting some outside force, or some organization, or some law dictate, ‘this is right and this is the way it is.’ Laws can be changed and ideas can be changed if a good enough reason overrides them.”
Dilley said, “Honestly, I really do feel that Antigone speaks to us, to this age group, because she does have some difficult decisions to make, and I believe this is a time in our life when we are coming to figure out who we are, what we stand for, and what we believe is right and wrong. It’s very important to go through that growing process and make sure that you have an internal code and not a code that is set upon you.”
While stressing again the universal message of the play, Doyle cautioned theater-goers that this play is far different from anything in Hollywood.
“We’re going to ask a bit of this audience in that the heart of the play is this philosophical debate,” he said. “There are no sword fights or car chases or anything like that. There’s a lot to consider, a lot of ideas are expressed and argued back and forth, so an audience must be open and willing to hear a debate, and hopefully make up their mind as they leave rather than know ahead of time who’s right and who’s wrong.”
“Antigone” plays in the Morgan Theatre on Feb. 6, 7, 13, and 14. Tickets range from $7 to $10. Students are admitted free with a USU ID; children under the age of 6 are not admitted. For ticket information, call 797-3046 or visit the UST Web site at www.usu.edu/theatre.
-mattgo@cc.usu.edu