antigone lives* is an unfaithful re-telling of Sophocles’ original. It’s more like a rave than a play and combines techno, despair, and family politics in a 200 bpm exploration of the carcass of democracy and notions of revolution. There’s also a goat and a pack of jackals attempting to navigate the growing crisis of displaced peoples in our “global village”. Follow a modern antigone attempting to do "what's right" in the modern world of social media, performative politics, inter-generational trauma, class privilege, only to discover the struggle doesn't end in the life after death.
Originally commissioned by Residenztheatre as a part of “WELT/BÜHNE” 2018 Festival of international new works in Munich, Germany.
Keywords: antigone, techno, post-dramatic, contemporary aesthetic, women writer, greek adaptation, urban, war, family, young people, political, feminist, queer
Genre: adaptation, post-dramatic, drama, dark-comedy, rave, techno-punk
Acts: 1
Run time: 90 minutes
Suitable for students 16+
Content note: Contains swearing, sexual language, suicide, guns, language suggesting sexual abuse, language around trauma and triggering trauma.
Cast size: 5 actors
Male roles: 2
Female roles: 3
Trans/Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming Roles: 5
Casting note: This play is meant to be fluid and adapt to the needs of the ensemble. While it's been written for 3 female actors and 2 male actors, any of these roles could be cast with non-binary performers. There is also the option for a real (or digital) chorus of jackals. University productions have cast real actors as the chorus and background performers in the rave with great success. Regardless of this being a portrayal of a family, please cast diverse actors. This play does not subscribe to theatrical "realism/naturalism" so casting can be interpretive and suit the ensemble desiring to stage the work. It is very multi-disciplinary. Could involve live musicians (DJ's) and choreography.