La Boite Theatre has officially opened its 2026 season with a triumphant, modern interpretation of Sophocles’ ‘Antigone’.
Originally written around 442BCE, co-directors Courtney Stewart and Nigel Poulton successfully usher the Grecian tragedy into the 21st century. So, be not afraid. This is no 'ye olde tale', it is a sharp-witted and unambiguous story of one woman's courage and defiance in the face of oppression.
The three-person production starring Maddison Burridge as our heroine Antigone, follows the aftermath of her two brothers' deaths in battle. Burridge emphatically showcases Antigone’s strength as she fights her uncle King Creon, for the right to give her outcast brother Polynices a ceremonial burial. Billy Fogarty and Hayden Spencer round out the trio, each bringing light to their roles, in what is a heart-wrenching representation of love and death.
Billy Fogarty (read our chat with Billy) keeps it tight with numerous quick changes, as they embody four distinct characters across age and gender, harkening back to the tradition of cross-gender acting in Ancient Greece. Fogarty approaches each new role with grace, piecing out Ismene’s hidden strength or the monumental presence of the blind prophet, Tiresias.
As King Creon, Hayden Spencer commands the stage and audience with his meta, humour-infused monologues. His staggering height perfectly aids in representing Creon's high political position, only to stand even taller on a custom podium, lording over the audience.
The uncommon doughnut-shaped stage allows the cast to interact with the audience from all angles. It creates significant tension during the high-powered stage combat, for fear of falling in the doughnut hole and meeting an early death. The stage truly presents itself as a fourth character, being manipulated by the cast and adapting throughout the show. It has many secrets to be revealed, which almost make it seem as if the gods are at play and aiding in Polynices’ burial.
‘Antigone’ will not be lost to time, not if La Boite Theatre has anything to say about it. The story of Antigone’s resistance is more relevant today than ever, and La Boite has created an incredibly moving and poignant piece that speaks to women of all backgrounds.
