One of this year's hot tickets, this version of Antigone is a new translation by Anne Carson and is directed by Ivo van Hove with Juliette Binoche in the title role.
Some critics have been a bit sniffy about this production, but I go along with the FT's more positive evaluation. Although there were some coughs at the outset, later you could have heard a pin drop in the Barbican with the 1100 plus audience riveted. This was partly achieved by the cast generally speaking quite softly, apart from Antigone's outbursts. However, a lot of the reason must have been their engagement with the story and the way it was portrayed by the actors and the production. The chorus cleverly alternated with characters which kept one attentive and I thought as Kreon was excellent. Although he was miked up which was a bit odd at first, it seemed to work. His tragic loss as both son and wife died as a consequence of his principalled edict was brilliantly portrayed.
The rendition was at a very slow pace and this was reinforced by the music and video in the background. This all worked for me and I was convinced I was in for something good right from the off when the empty stage was scoured by wind from right to left. At first, above the wind, I found Juliette Binoche hard to hear and her early entrances and exits seemed a bit of a wander on and off. But it all quickly got into its stride.
The set was quite minimal and the line up of the characters worked very well, I thought. There were times that I thought it looked very much like a set for a contemporary opera. The play ran for 100 minutes without interval and that seemed the right decision. You could hardly break off for a drink half way through.
Cast
Antigone Juliette Binoche
Guard Obi Abili
Ismende/Chorus Kirsty Bushell
Haimon/Chorus Samuel Edward-Cook
Teiresias/Chorus Finbar Lynch
Kreon Patrick O’Kane
Eurydike/Chorus Kathryn Pogson
Body of Polyneikes/Boy Toby Gordon
No comments:
Post a Comment