Review: smooth and eloquent synchronicity in students’ take on classic tragedy

Tragic heroes do not enjoy the luxury of choice. This play is about that paradox, and about the realities of leadership.

Civil war has raged within Thebes, ending in the mutual destruction of the two leaders, Eteocles and Polynices, brothers to Antigone and joint rulers after the death of their father Oedipus.

The vacuum is filled by Creon, Antigone’s uncle, who reluctantly accepts the crown and brings order to the state. In order to bring about an end to the conflict, he orders that the body of one of the brothers, Eteocles, be buried with honour; the other is to be left to rot, the ultimate disgrace.

Antigone cannot accept this and secretly covers her brother’s body with handfuls of earth, a symbolic burial. In defying her uncle, she brings upon herself the death penalty, which Creon must impose, though he tries hard to find a way to spare her.

Creon’s soliloquys in which he tries to make his niece see sense are some of the most magnificent in all modern drama and Bryony Davies delivers them with respect and passion. Kate Thorogood is maddeningly and endearingly adolescent in her insistence on her right to say no to authority, no matter what the cost. It’s not all dark: there are moments of light relief, nimbly delivered by Ali Pidsley as the Guard and Rozzy Knox as Nurse. Lucy Bird is a fine Chorus. The rest of the cast work together in smooth and eloquent synchronicity.

Nick Le Mesurier