Antigone by Jean Anouilh

Polyphonic Bonsai Productions proudly presents Jean Anouilh’s World War II version of Antigone, adapted by Lewis Galantiere and directed by Jeff Mandel!

A modern adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy Antigone, Anouilh wrote this play in 1944’s Nazi-occupied France. In both the Greek original and Anouilh’s version, the headstrong Antigone clashes with her uncle Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, over his edict that Antigone’s brother, the rebellion-leading Polyneices, not receive burial after attacking Thebes.  The story’s driving theme – the conflict between duty to conscience vs. the duty to the authority of the State – was obviously an explosive one for those living under oppressive occupation.  Yet the playwright somehow got approval from the Gestapo censors to produce it all the same. 

Thus in honor of Anouilh, Polyphonic’s production sets the tragedy in Vichy France, a choice unavailable to him at the time of its premiere. We also retain the ethical and political complexities he openly demands in the script to avoid over-simplified melodrama. It is a gripping story whose ancient theme remains as crucially relevant today as ever!

*Antigone (Anouilh) is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.