17th May-18th June 2011 - Southwark Playhouse
David has been commissioned to compose the music for a major new production of Sophocles' Classical tragedy Antigone at the Southwark Playhouse in the late spring of 2011. Working once again with the critically acclaimed Primavera Productions after their highly successful collaboration on T.S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral last autumn - and using an exciting modern translation by Timberlake Wertenbaker - this will be David's debut on the London stage.
Antigone forms the final part of Sophocles' Oedipus Trilogy, after Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus. After the death of Oedipus, King of Thebes, a furious battle ensues between his two sons, Eteokles and Polyneikes, which lays ruin to the country, beseiges the mighty city and results in the mutual deaths of both brothers. The new ruler, General Kreon, decrees that Eteokles, the hero of Thebes, should be buried with full honours, whereas the traitorous Polyneikes should be left above ground to rot, his soul never able to make its final journey to the land of the dead.
However, when their sister Antigone resolves to bury Polyneikes with the same respect as given to a loyal citizen of Thebes, a volatile situation emerges that threatens to tear the city apart, as all must consider the primacy of divine vs. civil law, family vs. state, and how far can a ruler justify ensuring peace and stability at the cost of civil rights and liberty.
While continuing the legendary curse of Oedipus, Antigone seems strangely relevant in our current world, as many countries are actively questioning the authority of dictatorial rule, and the use of fear tactics to keep the peace and suppress the populace. This exciting new production will bring this ancient classic right up to date, and the musical score will take into account Thebes' Middle Eastern setting, with a series of choruses separating the dramatic scenes, many of which will include passages of song as well as more general underscoring.
The professional cast will also be supplemented with a Chorus of up to ten actors from the local communities of Southwark and Bermondsey - those who are interested in auditioning for the Chorus can find more information at the Playhouse website.
Antigone will be performed from Tuesday 17th May to Saturday 18th June 2011 at 7.45pm with Saturday matinees at 3.15pm. Tickets cost £10 / £15 / £20 and are sold on the Southwark Playhouse website.