Lanthorn.com

'Antigone' translation to move outdoors

By Josh Brunsting GVL Staff Writer
4/15/2009

Through thousands of years, some plays have come and gone, while some have stood the test of time and are still being performed to this day.

One of those classic plays comes to Grand Valley State University's Allendale Campus today.

"Antigone," written more than 2,000 years ago, is getting a new translation by GVSU Professor Diane Rayor. The Greek language and literature professor will be translating this long-standing play for a special set of performances to run through the weekend. The translation will also be published by the Cambridge University Press.

"'Antigone' is a really powerful story," Rayor said. "It's got very strong characters, yet the themes are also very powerful. It's about people who are utterly certain of their beliefs and what happens when they come in contact, something that happens almost every day today."

"Antigone" is a 2,451-year-old play written by the Greek philosopher Sophocles. It tells the story of Antigone and Ismene, sisters of Eteocles and Polynices, who died fighting in the civil war that ravaged Thebes at the time.

The conflict arises when Creon, the ruler of Thebes, declares Eteocles will be honored while Polynices will be disgraced. Antigone wants to bury Polynices' body even in defiance of Creon's rule, and Ismene refuses to help.

How does this play manage to stay popular for more than 2,000 years? Cast member Benjamin Knight said he thinks it may have to do with its relatability to modern times.

"I think it's performed today for the same reasons as in Greece: Its relevance," Knight said. "As actors and as an audience, we can look at Antigone's world more critically than our own because we are separated from it. In looking at 'Antigone' critically, we also look critically at the parallels it shares with our modern age."

Not only is this a special translation, but it is brought to the stage by a special group. This performance is a project formed out of the GVSU course called the Classical Theatre Workshop.

"We take the plays and try to bring them to the stage as if we were back in ancient Greece," said April Conant, who will act in the performance. "We don't use microphones, no lights, and we take these performances from the stage to outdoors. We want to get as natural a feel as we can."

"Antigone" is the second performance to come out of the biannual class, with the first being Seneca's "Oedipus," two years ago.

A success, the class is back with "Antigone." Students not only read the original text, but also work with the Theater Department on technical aspects of putting on a performance.

"I really hope people check this play out," Rayor said. "The performance is really cool and is a very brisk watch at just around an hour. It moves quickly, and the students have put in their hearts and souls trying to make this a top-notch performance."

"Antigone" performances will be at 6 p.m. today and Friday, with an additional performance on Saturday at 2 p.m. It will be held at the Amphitheater outside of the Glenn A. Niemeyer Learning and Living Center, or if there is rain, in the Great Room of the Niemeyer Learning and Living Center.

jbrunsting@lanthorn.com

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