Review of Antigone [On Strike] for The Live Review, February 2025
Do you—yes, you in the audience—have prejudices?
A review by Charlotte Mason-Mottram
Antigone [on strike], written and directed by Alexander Raptotatis, is an electrifying, immersive play that reimagines the infamous Greek tragedy through the lens of modern British politics. Inspired by the Shamima Begum case, it masterfully weaves mythology with contemporary debates around justice, autonomy, and democracy.
In Sophocles’ Antigone, the heroine defies King Creon’s decree by showing compassion and dignity towards her brother and burying his body, despite him being branded a traitor. In Antigone [on strike], we follow Antiya as she fights to overturn the UK government’s decision to strip her sister, Esmeh, of citizenship. Esmeh, who fled Britain at 14 to join the Islamic State, is now stateless—her fate sealed by Home Secretary Creighton’s unwavering stance that Esmeh poses a terror threat to Great Britain.
The twist? You, the audience, wield power. Armed with voting devices as you take your seat inside the theatre, your decisions shape the narrative in real-time. With every vote, you influence the outcome, making you complicit in its unfolding tragedy.
Antiya takes extreme measures to expose what she sees as a grave injustice. Creighton holds firm. As in the Greek original, the clash between personal morality and state authority spirals into devastating consequences. But this time, the boundaries between law, politics, and public perception blur in ways that feel eerily close to home.
Antigone [on strike] doesn’t just make you question your biases—it forces you to confront them. This isn’t passive theatre; it’s an interrogation of power, responsibility, and the narratives we choose to accept. In a world where political rhetoric can incite violence, the play asks: is hate more palatable than empathy?
Though at times loud, rushed, and a tad overwhelming, Antigone [on strike] is aggressive for good reason. If you see one play this month, make it this one. And remember: watching from the sidelines does not absolve us. We all have a role to play—just as these actors bravely hold up a mirror to Britain’s past and present.
Antigone [on strike] is running at Park Theatre until Saturday 22 February.