Antigone — Sophocles

First performance: July 7 2016, Ancient Theatre of Delphi

The battle for the throne of Thebes between the two sons of Oedipus, Polyneices and Eteocles, has ended. The brothers lie dead on the battlefield. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, has ordered that Polyneices remain unburied for having fought against his city. However, Polyneices’ sister, Antigone, resolves to honour him with a proper burial. She is arrested and brought before Creon, who, in accordance with the law, sentences her to death. The king refuses to change his mind even after the intervention of his own son, Haemon, commanding that Antigone be buried alive in a cave. However, the suffering foreseen by the seer Tiresias soon becomes a reality. The king’s display of mercy arrives too late to prevent disaster. Antigone has hanged herself in her prison, Haemon has committed suicide, while Creon’s wife, Eurydice, follows her son in death.

Antigone was most likely first performed at the Great Dionysia festival of 442 BCE, and was written by Sophocles as a response to the questions of cultural identity that preoccupied Athens at this time, as the Parthenon was nearing completion while the sophist movement was taking off. In this play, one of the finest works of ancient Greek drama, the conflict between the moral law and the law of the state reaches its peak, with the two protagonists unable to escape the tragic fate that has been decreed for them.

Tour Schedule

July 7, Ancient Theatre of Delphi
July 15 – 16, Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
July 25, Papagou Garden Theatre
July 31, Ancient Theatre of Dodoni
August 3, Ancient Theatre of Dion
August 6, Ancient Theatre of Philippi
August 18, Ancient Theatre of Elis
August 20 – 21, Patras, Roman Odeon
August 25, Heliopolis, “Dimitris Kintis” Grove Theatre
August 29 – 30, Thessaloniki, Forest Theatre
September 2, Elefsina, Old Olive Mill Open Theatre
September 5, Attica Grove Theatre
September 10, Vyronas, Melina Mercouri Open Air Theatre
September 16 – 18, Nicosia, Makarios III Amphitheatre
September 21 – 22, Limassol, Ancient Theatre of Kourion
September 24 – 25, Paphos, Ancient Odeon
September 28, Roman Theatre of Salamis
September 30, Larnaca, Pattihio Municipal Amphitheatre

Source: National Theatre of Greece