Melissa Cooper’s Antigone Now is a one-act play inspired by Antigone by Sophocles. The story is condensed but still the same: Antigone’s two brothers have killed each other in a brutal war over who will rule Thebes. In the aftermath, Creon becomes king and intends to restore peace and order. He orders that only one brother, Eteocles, will be buried, and Polyneices, a traitor in Creon’s eyes, will be left to rot. But Antigone can’t bear the thought and defies Creon by burying Polyneices. Cooper’s version is limited to four characters played by an ensemble cast, though the character of Chorus can be played by up to eight actors. Antigone Now has a short run time and no set requirement, so it is a good option for middle or high school productions and one-act festivals. Its updated language and simplified story make its source material accessible to younger audiences for classroom use.
Antigone Now guide sections
