Greek tragedy Antigone comes to Manchester

Oct 6 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

THE gripping Greek tragedy Antigone comes to Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre next week.

Sophocles’ classic tells the story of Antigone’s defiance – fighting for all she believes and refusing to bow to her ruler and prospective father-in-law when her brother is denied the dignity of a burial.

Powerful and shattering, the play brims with modern parallels and takes its audience on a hugely dramatic and emotional journey.

This new production of the play – in a translation by Don Taylor – is sponsored by Manchester Airport Group and is directed by Royal Exchange artistic director Greg Hersov.

His many previous RET credits include Cyrano de Bergerac, The Tempest (with Pete Postlethwaite), the MEN award-winning comedy The Flags and recent box office hit Hay Fever.

Matti Houghton stars in the title role. She made her RET debut earlier this year in Bruntwood Playwriting Competition prize-winner The Cracks in My Skin. Other theatre work includes Kebab (Royal Court Theatre) and Kindertransport (Shared Experience). Television work includes Wire in the Blood, Doctors and The Bill.

The cast also includes Ben Addis , Nicholas Cass-Beggs, Claire Cordier, Jonathan Keeble, Alexandra Mathie, Ian Redford, Andrew Sheridan and John Watts. The part of the young boy is shared by Bysshe Harkavy and Joseph Merino.

Music for the production is being specially created by talented clarinetist Arun Ghosh who last worked with director Greg Hersov on last year’s critically acclaimed production of The Tempest. He has also been a regular and popular live attraction in the RET Special FX Friday night slot with his moody Indian-Jazz fusion.

Antigone can be seen from October 15-November 8. Ring the box office on 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.