'The Antigone of Sophocles.' 1963

A Worthy Antigone

A doom-laden play. ‘The Antigone of Sophocles,’ was presented by Chipping Campden Grammar School on Thursday & Friday in its doomed school hall that falls under the workman’s pick this week after being the scene of many fine plays at this time of year. This last production proved not unworthy of its predecessors.

The story of Antigone is perhaps a supreme example of the individual taking a stand against authority.When Creon, the King forbids the burial of her rebellious dead brother, Antigone defies him & performs the burial rites. To uphold the law, Creon has her buried alive.

The play was produced by Mr. A. B. Fell, who disciplined his actors giving them a simple setting & letting the play speak for itself. Speech, passionate and clear, is probably the most important element in Greek tragedy, and on the whole this production was well spoken.

Mr. Fell used the Chorus as soloists each taking his or her turn to exhort, to warn and to deplore. This seemed sensible in view of the difficulty in getting a number of people to speak harmoniously together. Only during the well known hymn to man did one want for a greater volume of sound.

Antigone was movingly played by Gillian Welch, a proud yet pathetic figure; and Christopher Farr as the blind Teiresias, acted with strength & dignity. Edward Armitage endowed Creon with authority & eloquence. The part, though well acted, was lacking in sympathy. When retribution struck him down, one felt no pity, only satisfaction that a tyrant got what he deserved.

Other parts were played by Susan Hunt, Andrew Palmer, Alan Chesworth, Patricia Hart, Cheryl Price & Michael Davies, & the chorus consisted of Wendy Wright, Peter Ellis, Barbara Wilson, Robert Cherrington, Angela Potter, Susan McRae, Ann Cutts & Edwin Baldwin.

The effective pale blue & white set was designed & painted by Mr. W.Howells, & erected by Mr.Unsted, & costumes were designed & made by Susan Duggan & Kathleen Ridgers.