Brideview Drama are very busy rehearsing their three-act festival play for 2024; ‘Antigone’ by Sophocles, translated by Don Taylor.
This Greek tragedy tells of the last few days of Antigone’s life. She is the daughter of Oedipus, who’s well known moral sin of conceiving children with his own mother has destined these children for doom and disaster. Antigone’s brothers Eteocles and Polynices have already met their end when the play begins, having killed each other in battle. Eteocles has been given a proper burial, while Polynices has been left to rot in the open. Antigone is determined to give her brother the burial he deserves but her uncle, King Creon, has made a decree that nobody is to touch the body. Antigone breaks this new law in spite of her uncle and chaos ensues.
Brideview Drama will take this production around the country in March, competing in eight festival competitions with the hopes of racking up points on the league table to earn a coveted spot in the All-Ireland final in Athlone in May. They will travel to competitions in Doonbeg, Co. Clare; Rush, Co. Dublin; Ballyduff, Co. Waterford; Castleisland, Co. Kerry; Claremorris, Co. Mayo; Holycross, Co. Tipperary; Rossmore, Co. Cork and Scariff, Co. Clare.
There are eighteen actors in this play and of course many more involved in lighting, sound, stage management, setting, costume, presentation and production. The play is directed by Jack Aherne, ably assisted by John Roche as assistant director, who have both been working exceptionally hard to rise to the challenge of this Greek tragedy, which is new territory for the experienced group.
Before they take the show on the road, there will be six performances of the play in Tallow Community Centre on February 9, 10, 11, 18, 26 and 28 at 8pm. Tickets will be available at the door each night for €12.
