After lazing away an hour or so after my last class in the destitute Hunter Library that seems to have more portraits than people after five o’clock, I met up with Taylor and Sarah to see the play Antigone. I had read Antigone in my junior year of high school as an extra credit assignment after reading Oedipus Rex, however I was unimpressed. Antigone, meaning against man, is the cursed daughter of Oedipus, former king of Thebes, married to his own mother, and killer of his father. All his children, like their father, have a curse. His two sons kill each other in battle, one for Thebes, one against Thebes. Proper burial is forbidden for the rebel, which means his spirit will wander for eternity, and never reach Hades. Antigone is moved by love to give her brother a burial, even though the penalty is death. Antigone tries to get her sister but her sister refuses to help. Antigone gives her brother funeral rites, but is discovered. The king of Thebes Creon, must now decide to enforce or renege on his decree since Antigone is his niece and engaged to his son. Creon holds his edict firm and sentences Antigone to be entombed in a cave. Soon after Creon regrets his decision and opens the tomb to find Antigone has hanged herself and her fiancé, Creon’s son, has killed himself as well. The performance of this was consistent with the plot, but I did not like it. The acting was in need of a life preserver, and I believe whoever auditioned received the part, since a male role was played by a women. The best actor was Choragus, leader of the chorus. Another thing I found irritating was the use of guns instead of swords. I would have preferred historical accuracy instead of symbolism. Also the costume seemed more appropriate for Russian peasant women in the 1930’s with the exception of the burqa and the hijabs. The scenery was bland and monochromatic and the lighting was boring except when it was shined blindingly in your eyes. Perhaps I was so disappointed because References to Salvador Dali Make me Hot was done so well. I also feel they should’ve explained more why Antigone needed to bury her brother, since I knew only because I have read many myths regarding the afterlife. I hope that the theater department’s next production is better.
