The Angels and Heroes’ production of Antigone is flawed, but not fatally. The TNS Space on Agricola is too small (and too hot), so the piece is awkwardly staged. Audience members are forced to peer around posts and actors are constantly trampling on the spot representing Polyneices’ grave. The play seemed too long, with too much talk, but that perception might be partly due to the elevated temperature at the venue. On the plus side, the acting is outstanding. Stephanie MacDonald makes the feisty firebrand Antigone believable, and even likeable. The same can be said of Dustin Harvey’s Creon, a reluctant king and an even more reluctant villain. Though much of Creon’s dialogue is delivered at the same fevered pitch, Harvey somehow elicits sympathy for the character. Rhys Bevan-John and Tara Patriquin add much with their supporting roles, but it is Stewart Legere who is the glue in the production. As the Chorus, he narrates beautifully, and his monologue about tragedy is worth the price of admission. As the nurse, he brings much-needed levity to the play, though at times I fear he strayed into Monty Python territory.
December 4th to the 9th at 8 pm, 2 pm matinee on Sunday, December 9th. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or reserved by calling (902) 223-5371.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 5, 2007.