The Burial At Thebes

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Kelly Campbell as Ismene in 'The Burial at Thebes'

A version of Antigone by Seamus Heaney. Directed by Lorraine Pintal.

Featuring Lorcan Cranitch, Ruth Negga, Garret Keogh, Barry McGovern , Aidan Kelly, Mark D'Aughton, Owen McDonnell, Stephen Brennan, Alan McMahon, William O'Sullivan, Aaron Monaghan & Cathy Belton.  Abbey Theatre until 01 May.

Seamus Heaney's new version of Sophocles' Antigone is characterised by much of the author's poetic imagery as it attempts to elucidate the battle of wills that ensues over burial rites in the ancient city of Thebes.  Heaney draws on many aspects of nature in his retelling and he also gives proceedings a politically contemporary feel. At one point King Creon (Lorcan Cranitch) informs those before him 'that you're are a either with me or against me.' A similar remark underlines George W Bush's idea on how to deal with the threat of global terrorism.

Antigone is very much a timeless piece, which deals with the conflict between personal loyalty and duty to the state, between the secular and the sacred and between members of one dysfunctional family. We can all identify with the characters therein, and the story poses many moral conundrums that have no straightforward explanations. 

Central to the disharmony are the royal family of Thebes and the children of Oedipus. Antigone (Ruth Negga ) is the last daughter in the house of Oedipus.  Her uncle, King Creon, has assumed power in Thebes after the death of her two brothers in a bloody Civil War. Creon has decreed that the body of one brother, Polynices, shall never be buried because he was a traitor in life, who killed his other brother, Eteocles, when he brought an army to attack Thebes.

To Antigone, who has had the great misfortune of burying all of her family except her living sister, Ismene, (Kelly Campbell) this law goes against her morals. She favours God-given law and is adamant that her bother should be given full burial rites, even if that means sacrificing her own life. This is turn brings about other demises, as is the way in this Greek idiom.

Heaney's text presents, at times, a compelling war of words between the central players. Both are equally convincing in pushing home their point. Their characters are well defined - players in a political process, who have not embraced the art of compromise. Director Lorraine Pintal gets the best out of Cranitch and Negga, who both deliver fine performances that are a mixture of unyielding strength and underlying vulnerability.

Lorcan Cranitch is one of our best theatre actors, with an abundance of stage presence and a wonderful speaking voice. Ruth Negga, after notable turns in Lolita & Duck captured the essence of the tragic heroine here in a conversely sexual and alluring way.

Also strong were Garret Keogh & Barry McGovern as the 'Chorus', who performed with an amiable mix of grace and wit. Aidan Kelly as one of Creon's Henchmen & Kelly McDonald as the surviving sister also perform well in a production that is ultimately accessible and engaging despite being performed in a somewhat unimaginative set.

James McMahon