You can just imagine Antigone, waif-like, pale-faced, hollow-eyed, declaring: "It is a far, far better thing ..." as she is dragged to her inevitable, needless, dramatic death.

 

Having carved out a role for herself as tragic heroine, Antigone is determined to see it out to the bitter end.

In Studio 32's production of Jean Anouilh's revised version of the Greek classic, Shona Cairney's Antigone was a triumph, alternatively a naive, pitiful girl, a sulky teenager, a brave spirited young woman.

Ferociously opposed to the tyrannical demands of the state, which decrees that her brother should not be honoured with a religious burial, Antigone defies her uncle Creon, the king, and carries out the burial herself - knowing full well that the penalty is death.

Cairney's powerful portrayal was at its best in the lengthy scene between the young woman and Creon.  Darren England gave a vigorous performance as the tyrant, who ultimately ends up with the real tragedy, blending nastiness, helplessness, anger and sympathy to great effect - and all in a fine approximation of a Sean Connery accent indeed.

Hilde McKenna's measured, cool approach to her role as narrator was effective, but there were weaker performances in the form of Margaret Poli's rather two-dimensional portrayal of Antigone's distressed sister Ismene and Aidan Keane's too quiet, too bland depiction of Creon's son Haemon.

The rest of the cast included two much more light-hearted, near caricature performances from Vikki England as a rosy cheeked, constantly flapping nurse and Iain Coleman as the cor-blimey, Dad's Army style first guard.

Both actors, however, showed considerable depth of character in moving scenes with Antigone - England at the beginning of the action, when she comforts the young woman, who has already put in motion the events which will result in her death, and Coleman at the end, as the last person Antigone will ever see. 

Director Peter Clive's uncluttered approach to the set and story made for a straightforward production with a lot in its favour.