A review on Pakistani Drama theatre play, Antigone (2017). It was performed at NAPA’s International Theatre Festival 2017.
+ Crew
- Directed by Khalid Ahmed
- Written by Jean Anouilh
+ Note
Jean Anouilh’s play, Antigone is a tragedy inspired by Greek mythology and the play of the same name (Antigone, by Sophocles) from the fifth century BC Jean Anouilh wrote his ‘Antigone’ in 1944, during the height of the Nazi occupation of France.
Upon Oedipus’s death, it was agreed that each of the two sons would take the throne from one year to the next. After the first year, however, the elder one refuses to step down. After a great war, all were defeated. The brothers kill each other in a duel. Creon ends up as the king. Then Creon orders Eteocles to be buried in honor while left Polyncies, the younger brother to rot on the pain of death. He announces that if anyone attempted to Polyncies a decent burial then, that person would be put to death.
The two actresses, Sehrish and Aisha play the lead role, Antigone of the different timelines.
+ Full Cast
- Nadir Hussain as Creon
- Sehrish Qadir as Antigone #1
- Aisha Iqbal as Antigone (Younger)
- Irfan Khan as Pahredar #1
- Owais Mubashir as Haemon
- Monazza Fatima Naqvi as Ismene
- Umair Rafiq as Ravi #1
- Rehman Qureshi as Ravi #2
- Hani Taha as Anna
- Godina Fernandes as Eurydice
- Adnan Samad Khan as Ardali
- Syed Arsalan as Pahredar #2
- Ahmed Adil as Pahredar #3
- Hasnain as Page
+ Plot
Upon the second brother’s death, Antigone resolves to defy her uncle, Creon the King for her to give Polyncies a proper burial.
+ High Points
i – Nadir Hussain as Creon, was the most impressive of them all! He is truly an ‘A’ class actor and his plays are most often well received by the audience.
ii – My, my… what do we have here? Sehrish Qadir as Antigone #1 gave a strong performance in scene sharing with Nadir. Sehrish clearly showed everyone that she is a serious actress who should not be taken lightly. Other Honorable Mentions: Irfan Khan, Umair Rafiq, Owais Mubashir and Aisha Iqbal.
iii – Brilliant direction by respected Khalid Ahmed. We were able to witness yet again a magnificent play.
iv – Although the play was two hours long but it was so fascinating that most of the audience’s eyes were fixed wide open on the play than concerned about the time.
+ Low Points
i – Audience preferred one character to be played by one person only. Unless that person is playing a different age group / spilt personality of the same character.
ii – Too much narration / story moved forward by two Ravi rather than been performed.
iii – Some of the stars’ performances were weak.
+ Overall
Solid performances, excellent direction, and provocative. Antigone seamlessly piles up its forceful social norms into an effective and enjoyable play.
Rate: 4.50 out of 5 stars
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