Antigone [on strike]

Written and directed by Alexander Raptotasios

A modern reimagining of Sophocles’ tragedy inspired by true stories of the so-called ‘ISIS Brides’ where the audience are asked to vote on the narrative

Park Theatre 30 January – 22 February 2025

When Esmeh was 14, she ran away from her East London home and joined the Islamic State in Syria. Now the war is over, she finds herself stranded in a refugee camp and her citizenship cancelled by the UK’s Home Secretary. Her sister Antiya launches a hunger strike to bring her home causing a media frenzy that engulfs her and the Home Secretary’s family in a dangerous PR game no one is sure how to play.

Set in an interactive media studio where you vote and affect the story’s direction, this is a new play inspired by Sophocles’ classic tragedy Antigone and the real stories of the young women who became the so called ‘ISIS Brides’.

Developed through student workshops in East London, this is a challenging immersive theatre piece that looks at the effect of behaviour-predicting technologies on freedom of choice and democracy.

“It is incredible how an ancient tragedy can speak to our current struggles as a democracy. Antigone questions how much a government can restrict human rights for the ‘good of the country’. Our new version is allowing public opinion to play a crucial part as audiences participate and are faced with their choices. What shapes our opinion? A public debate, cold facts or an Instagram ad?”

- Director/Writer Alexander Raptotasios

Cast

PHIL CHEADLE
HIBA MEDINA
ALI HADJI-HESHMATI
SORCHA BROOKS
OYA BACAK

Creative Team

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