Award-winning playwright Roy Williams is bringing his take on Antigone to Stratford.
His version places Sophocles’ Greek classic about loyalty, truth and human behaviour in a modern setting.
“I was intrigued to know if it was possible to set Antigone in a world that I have written about before, i.e the gangster culture that is too often the life of a lot of young people today,” explains Roy Williams. “It has always disturbed me to hear young people say that being in a gang makes them feel powerful.”
The play begins with the emergence of Creon as the new ruler of Thebes after a civil war.
“Creon begins the play feeling all-powerful with his gang running ‘tings’ in Thebes. It is almost like he and others like him have put aside other feelings that make us human,” Roy reveals.
Theatre Royal at Stratford East will run the play from February 19 to March 14.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here