Η«Antigone» of Sophocles by hand Cesaris Grauciniis is a modern and timely adaptation of the Sophoclean anti-war tragedy with a subversive cast. Antigone Ellie Tringu, Creon the Vassilis Bismbikis. And the Ierocles Michaelides Top of the Dance.

The performance is produced by the cultural organization «Lykofos» and tours throughout Greece.

The story

On the day after the Civil War in Thebes, the city's patrons of yesterday celebrate their victory, trying to erase from their memory the days of insecurity and misery. The new ruler, Creon, joins the celebration with the aim of consolidating his power by intimidating his fellow citizens with threats. The young Antigone also ”celebrates”; a celebration of disobedience, illuminated by the enthusiasm of resistance to the political pragmatism of tyranny.

The concept of the performance, according to director Cesaris Grausinis, was designed to poetically reflect the current new reality of society's life and, in this new light, to reflect and explore the concepts of Ancient Drama, as well as to establish communication with the audience not only on an aesthetic or intellectual, but also on an emotional level.

Director's note

We come crying into the world; at the end we are accompanied by tears and sighs.

But, what happens between the beginning and the end - what is life itself?;

Shortly before the finale of Antigone, the Angelus appears and recounts the misfortune of Creon, the tyrant of Thebes, who has just witnessed the suicide of his beloved son. Hidden behind the mask of Angelus, Sophocles tells us:

Man does not live when he loses the things that give him joy.
He dies every day of his life.
Accumulate as much wealth as you want,
gain all the power you aspire to...
Joy- you have joy?;
The rest is not even a shadow of smoke.

(Trans. George Blanas)

These words sound too healthy, even provocative, in the context of the modern culture of fear that is slowly but surely turning us into miserable, perpetually hungry parasites on the body of our beautiful Earth.

The tragedy of Antigone and Creon gave us the invaluable opportunity to rethink and seek the phenomena of...joy. Yes, above all joy, as the basis of human existence.

–Cesaris Grauciniis

Contributors

Translation George Blanas
Directed by Cesaris Grauciniis
Scenography - Costume Design Kenny McLellan
Music composition Dimitris Theocharis
Choreography Edgen Lame
Lights Alekos Yannaros
Assistant director Panagiota Bibli
Photos Thomas Daskalakis
Photographer's Assistant Mariana Mena
Video trailer: Michael Mavromoustakos

They star:
Ellie Tringu (Antigone)
Vassilis Bismbikis (Creon)
Ierocles Michaelides (Top of the Dance)
George Papageorgiou (Angel)
Danae Michalaki (Ismene)
Christos Sapountzis (Tiresias)
Costas Koroneos (Guardian)
Stratis Hadjistamatiou (Haemon)
Marina Argyridou (Eurydice)
Edgen Lame (Dance)
Yannis Mastrogiannis (Dance)
Pericles Siundas (Dance)