Antigone

By: Jean Anouilh

Narrated by: Elizabeth Marvel, Full Cast

The body of Polynices, Antigone's brother, has been ordered to remain unburied by Creon, the new king of Thebes. Antigone defies the law, sealing her fate. Originally produced in Paris during the Nazi occupation, Anouilh's Antigone was seen by the French as theatre resistance and by Germans as an affirmation of authority.

Starring (in alphabetical order):

Jordan Bridges as Haemon/2nd Guard
Dominic Fumusa as Guard
Francis Guinan as Creon
John Hansen as 3rd Guard/Messenger
Alan Mandell as Chorus
Elizabeth Marvel as Antigone
Alley Mills as Nanny
Mandy Sigfried as Ismene

(P)2005 L.A. Theatre Works. All Rights Reserved.

A classic is given a fabulous update!

I picked up this play because I am currently directing Antigone by Jean Anouilh (but a different translation). I wanted to get an idea of how this story was changed from the original by Sophocles. And I was so delighted to find the adaptation fresh, new and alive. The LA Theatre Works' actors do such a stellar job that while I was listening to the play I found myself closing my eyes to imagine the how the actors where moving on stage. If you are a lover of myths, classics, and/or theatre then you MUST listen to this play.

An excellent performance of a tragic tale

Antigone is one of the great Greek tragedies, and this reimagining by Jean Anouilh is excellent - historically known during WW2 as a performance which fuelled the French Resistance (through the strong-willed Antigone) and the Nazi occupiers (through the role of the king and the play's notions of obedience to society's laws). This performance stands out as being sophisticated, well produced and excellently cast. It will reward multiple listenings, and sustain your interest over those repeated hearings. Go ahead, Antigone's tale awaits in a new and vibrant form.

A new spin on this timeless tragedy

This was very different than I expected...in all the best ways. Basically it sounds like a recording of a live performance, and that works as a good listen here. But the dialog in this new "translation" is much more modern and really allowed me to relate to Antigone as a contemporary character for the first time. The self-destructive righteousness of her arguments hit home in new ways listening to this play, particularly in her final exchanges with King Creon. Definitely worth a listen if you're studying Greek tragedy and need to find a way to connect to the story - but it's also worth listening to if you want to gain a little insight into what people refer to as the millennial mindset.

Truly a masterpiece!

I can't recommend this play enough! It is incredibly deep in its ideas and its emotions and there is just enough humor to keep it from being depressing. The actors are all fantastic and their voices fit their roles perfectly. You won't regret buying this one.

Antigone acomplished

This is a deeply beautiful rendition of the play!! That acting is superb, the pace perfect and even the music is quite interesting!