'Antigone'

Christopher Eccleston as Creon

2012
Previews from: 23 May
Opening Night: 30 May
Closing Night: 21 July (extended)
Play by Sophocles in a version by Don Taylor
Director: Polly Findlay
Role: Creon, King of Thebes
Venue: National Theatre, Olivier Theatre
Cast

Playtext (transl. by F. Storr) --- NT page ~~(tickets available)~~

"Jodie Whittaker plays Antigone and Christopher Eccleston her uncle, Creon, in this thrilling contemporary staging of Sophocles' great drama.
Desperate to gain control over a city ravaged by war, Creon refuses to bury the body of Antigone's rebellious brother. Outraged, she defies him and Creon condemns the young woman to be buried alive." NT

Reactions:

• Press Night (May 30th) online and newspaper reviews (w/ pictures from the play)

• Blog Reviews:
Prof. Whitestick (blog, July 26), sueyuk (blog, July 17), Poly Gianniba (blog, July 5), Naima Khan (blog, July 5), Working Breakfast (Tumblr blog, July 4), Rachel Mariner (blog, Jun 26), Liz Gloyn (blog, Jun 21), TheRestrictedReviewer (blog, Jun 21), garethjames (blog, Jun 20), Louise (blog, Jun 19), Hugh Alford (blog, Jun 18), Unique Cafe (blog, Jun 18), TheRestrictedReviewer (blog, Jun 13), Webcowgirl (blog, Jun 13), West End Whingers (blog, Jun 12), nextdramaticstep (blog, Jun 12), Miranda's Island (blog, Jun 11), Lou Reviews (blog, Jun 11), alicelsmith (blog, Jun 11), Geoff Morley (blog, Jun 11), Red Reviews (Tumblr blog, Jun 10), neptunienne (Tumblr blog, Jun 9), nikkimusingsandthoughts (blog, Jun 9), Unrestricted Views (blog, Jun 9), Katie Toms (blog, Jun 5), GirlReporter (blog, Jun 5), Matt Trueman (blog, Jun 5), Everything Theatre (blog, Jun 4), byronic (Tumblr blog, Jun 3), PlatformPieces (blog, Jun 2), nick730 (blog, Jun 1), Edith Hall (blog, Jun 1), Jonathan Taylor, son of Don Taylor (blog, May 30), Dotty (blog, May 30), Mark Ronan (blog, May 30)

• Pre-Press Night Reviews:
A Civilian's Guide to the Theatre (blog, May 29), Jonathan Evens (blog, May 29), MissP (blog, May 28), Rachel (blog, May 25), Hamsterfur (Tumblr blog, May 24), Finn Pollard (blog, May 24), Eastendlass (blog, May 23), TheRestrictedReviewer (blog, May 23), Ian (blog, May 23)

• Radio Reviews:
Jun 15 The Arts Show, BBC Radio 2 - site - iPlayer
Jun 2 Saturday Review, BBC Radio 4 - site - iPlayer
May 31 Front Row, BBC Radio 4 - site - iPlayer - download podcast (mp3; save target/link as)
May 30 Philip Dodd - Night Waves, BBC Radio 3 - site - iPlayer

• Marianne's review - July 18

Interviews:

• July 19 VIDEO National Theatre - In Conversation With Christopher Eccleston (streaming - video download, iTunes)
• May 16 The Telegraph - Christopher Eccleston interview: "This is why I became an actor"

• May 14 TimeOut London - Interview: Christopher Eccleston

Additional Materials:

• NT Discover Theatre Series - 'Antigone' - a collection of workpacks and videos on the subject of Greek Theatre, including interviews with the cast and clips from 'Antigone';
• LondonTheatre.co.uk - eleven production photos;

• National Theatre - Season Brochure, Apr - Sep 2012 (pdf; source)

News:

• Nov 25 London Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2012 - Winners - Winners include Soutra Gilmour, Best Design.

• Oct 29 London Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2012 - Longlist - Nominees include Polly Findlay, Best Director and Soutra Gilmour, Best Design.

• The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival: L065 Christopher Eccleston and Polly Findlay - They join us here to discuss this extraordinary production of a remarkable play, and why Sophocles' moral debate is timeless. Oct 7 - info and tickets.

• Jun 1 BBC News - Antigone: Four star reviews for Christopher Eccleston; WhatsOnStage - A chorus of approval for Findlay's Antigone. (review round-ups)

• AUDIO TheatreVoice - Director Polly Findlay explores the tragedy of Antigone.

• May 19 Loose Ends, BBC Radio 4 - Clive Anderson Attacks The Block with actress Jodie Whittaker, who's about to perform the title role of Antigone at London's National Theatre.

• May 9 'Antigone' rehearsal photos on National Theatre's Facebook page.

• Apr 10 'Antigone' rehearsals start today. (tweet; source)

• In Conversation With Christopher Eccleston - An afternoon interview, talking to Al Senter about his current role in 'Antigone' and his career, and answering your questions. July 19 - info and tickets.

• Director Polly Findlay will discuss her production of Sophocles' play on Jun 1 - info and tickets.

• Feb 10 2012 Christopher Eccleston has been cast as Creon, King of Thebes in 'Antigone':

Desperate to gain control over a city ravaged by civil war, Creon refuses to bury the body of Antigone's rebellious brother. Outraged, she defies his edict. Creon condemns the young woman, his niece, to be buried alive.

He can't forbid me to love my brother. He has neither the right, nor the power, to do that.

The people daren't object but the prophet Teiresias warns that this tyranny will anger the gods: the rotting corpse is polluting the city.

There is no gag like terror, is there, gentlemen?

Creon hesitates and his fate is sealed.

The gods never move faster than when punishing men with the consequences of their own actions.