When was Jean Anouilh's Antigone first performed?
Anouilh's Antigone was first performed on the 6th of February, 1944, at the Théâtre de l'Atelier in Paris, during the Nazi occupation of France.
Questions about Antigone (Anouilh play)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why is Anouilh's Antigone considered politically ambiguous?
The play was written and performed under Nazi censorship, so Anouilh deliberately avoided taking a clear side between Antigone's defiance and Creon's authority. French audiences could read it as a portrait of the Resistance while German censors could interpret it as a defence of order.
Who played Antigone in the 1946 American production?
Katharine Cornell both produced and starred as Antigone in the 1946 production at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. Marlon Brando appeared in the same production as the Messenger.
Who starred in the British première of Anouilh's Antigone?
The British première on the 10th of February, 1949, at the New Theatre in London featured Vivien Leigh as Antigone and Laurence Olivier as the Chorus. Olivier also produced the production for the Old Vic Theatre Company.
Who appeared in the 1974 PBS television production of Anouilh's Antigone?
The 1974 American television production, presented on PBS's Great Performances, starred Geneviève Bujold as Antigone and Stacy Keach.
Which English translations of Anouilh's Antigone are available?
Lewis Galantière produced an English translation used in the 1946 American stage production. Barbara Bray completed a translation in 1987, and Jeremy Sams produced another in 2002. The Bray translation was adapted for BBC Radio 3 in 2024, with Rosy McEwen and Sean Bean.