22 November 2014
Newsdesk
The Barbican today announces the full cast for Antigone, which stars Juliette Binoche in the title role. The production is directed by the internationally renowned Belgian theatre director Ivo van Hove, with a new translation by TS Eliot Prize-winning poet Anne Carson.
The cast is: Juliette Binoche, Obi Abili, Kirsty Bushell, Samuel Edward-Cook, Finbar Lynch, Patrick O’Kane and Kathryn Pogson.
This Barbican co-production receives its world premiere at the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg in February 2015 followed by the UK premiere at the Barbican in March 2015. It then embarks on a major international tour including runs in Antwerp, Amsterdam, Paris, Recklinghausen, the 2015 Edinburgh International Festival and New York.
When her dead brother is decreed a traitor, his body left unburied beyond the city walls, Antigone refuses to accept this most severe of punishments. Defying her uncle who governs, she dares to say ‘No’. Forging ahead with a funeral alone, she places personal allegiance before politics, a tenacious act that will trigger a cycle of destruction.
Toni Racklin, Head of Theatre at the Barbican, said:
“Today we announce an outstanding cast for Ivo van Hove’s Antigone. This hotly anticipated new production receives its UK premiere here at the Barbican in March at a definitive moment for van Hove which sees the Young Vic’s production of A View from the Bridge in the West End and a nomination for Best Director at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards.”
Frank Feitler, Director of the Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, said:
“This project originated from a discussion with Juliette about her desire to work in English and she asked whether I could find her a play, a director and produce such a piece. My first point of call was Toni Racklin at the Barbican and we quickly agreed that Ivo van Hove would be an ideal director as both of us have presented his magnificent work. I am delighted that we have brought this project to life and have enthused other partners to work with us on this international tour.”
Antigone tour dates 2015
Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg, Luxembourg
25, 27 & 28 February
Barbican Centre, Barbican Theatre, London, UK
4 – 28 March
deSingel, Antwerp, Belgium
1 – 4 April
Stadsschouwburg, Amsterdam, Netherlands
15 – 18 April
Théâtre de la Ville, Paris, France
22 April – 14 May
Ruhrfestspiele, Recklinghausen, Germany
21 – 24 May
King’s Theatre, Edinburgh International Festival, UK
9 – 22 August
BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), New York, USA
BAM Next Wave Festival 2015
24 September – 4 October
