Original production
Antigone was first performed in Paris at the Théâtre de l'Atelier on February 6, 1944, during the Nazi occupation. Produced under Nazi censorship, the play is purposefully ambiguous with regard to the rejection of authority (represented by Antigone) and the acceptance of it (represented by Creon). The parallels to the French Resistance and the Nazi occupation are clear, however. The original cast included Monelle Valentin (Antigone), Jean Davy (Créon), Suzanne Flon (Ismène), and André Le Gall (Hémon); the staging, decor and costumes were by André Barsacq.[1]
British première
Antigone received its British première by the Old Vic Theatre Company at the New Theatre, London, on 10 February 1949. The production was produced by Laurence Olivier (who also played the role of Chorus) and had the following cast:[2]
- Chorus - Laurence Olivier
- Antigone - Vivien Leigh
- Nurse - Eileen Beldon
- Ismene - Meg Maxwell
- Haemon - Dan Cunningham
- Creon - George Relph
- First Guard (Jonas) - Thomas Heathcote
- Second Guard (a Corporal) - Hugh Stewart
- Third Guard - George Cooper
- Messenger - Terence Morgan
- Page - Michael Redington
- Eurydice - Helen Beck
