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
Written and directed by Alexander Raptotasios
Park Theatre (Park90), 30 January – 22 February 2025
PRESS NIGHT: Monday 3rd February, 7pm
“A dystopian immersive masterpiece – UNMISSABLE”
To Do List (on previous production The White Plague)
Socials: @FerodoBridges @ParkTheatre
Exploring how the media shapes politics and public discourse on immigration, human rights and extremism, this new drama updates Sophocles’ Greek tragedy and asks the audience to vote on the narrative, displaying their answers in real-time. Inspired by the true stories of young women from the UK who became the so called ‘ISIS Brides’, Antigone [on strike] follows Law student Antiya as she campaigns against an ambitious Home Secretary to bring her sister Esmeh back from Syria. Anitya’s risky hunger strike causes a media frenzy that engulfs her and the Home Secretary’s family in a PR game that no one is certain how to play.
Sat within an all-white replica of the UK House of Commons, audiences are invited to participate in the unfolding narrative by casting real-time votes and comments with wireless keypad devices, interrogating how our choices have real-life consequences and can easily be monetized and weaponized by the highest bidder.
The play was developed through community discussions with students and teachers in schools in East London. In addition to the actual play, a series of free educational workshops was created in collaboration with Hafsah Aneela Bashir that aim to empower young people to engage with politics through art and activism.
Writer and director Alexander Raptotasios said, “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?”
Alexander Raptotasios is the artistic director of Ferodo Bridges CIC, a company he founded to create challenging, political work influenced by immersive and participatory theatre. Directing credits include Mother Company short docu-fiction film (Commissioned by the Greek National Opera, 2024), Apocalypse NY immersive rave experience (New York, 2023 and 2024), Antigone by Sophocles (Commission by Athens & Epidaurus International Festival, 2022), The Events by David Greig (National Greek Opera & National Tour, 2021), The White Plague adapted from Jose Saramago’s Blindness (Greenwich Theatre & UK/European Tour), Hotel Apocalypse (Bageion Foundation Athens, 2018), Macbeth (The Pleasance London, 2017).
Park Theatre presents exceptional theatre in the heart of Finsbury Park, boasting two world-class performance spaces: Park200 for predominantly larger scale productions by established talent, and Park90, a flexible studio space, for emerging artists. In eleven years, it has enjoyed eight West End transfers (including Rose starring Maureen Lipman, The Boys in the Band starring Mark Gatiss, Pressure starring David Haig and The Life I Lead starring Miles Jupp), two National Theatre transfers, 14 national tours, seven Olivier Award nominations, has won multiple OffWestEnd Offie Awards and won a Theatre of the Year award from The Stage.
Running Time: 90 mins | Suitable for ages 14+
Company information
Director and writer Alexander Raptotasios Associate director and dramaturge Or Benezra-Segal
Set and lightening designer Marco Turcich Costume designer Marie-Cecile Inglesi Text Editor Julia Catarina Hartley Community workshop designer and advisor Hafsah Aneela Bashir
Video Content Creator Vittoria Belli Stage Manager Julieta Kilgelman
Casting Director Ellie Collyer-Bristow Video Mapping SDNA
Cast
Phil Cheadle, Hiba Medina, Ali Hadji-Heshmati, Sorcha Brooks, Oya Bacak (on video)
Listings information
30 January – 22 February 2025
Park90, Park Theatre, Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP
Previews 30 Jan – 1 Feb | £15
Mon – Sat 7pm, 3.15pm matinees Thu & Sat | £25 – £15 (standard), £9.50 (access), £10 (Park Up 16-26 years, throughout the run)
Captioned performances: Tue 11 Feb 7pm, Thu 20 Feb 7pm
BSL Interpreted performance: Thu 13 Feb 7pm
Telephone booking fee of £3 per transaction applies. All ticket prices are inclusive of a £1.50 building levy